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PRESENTED TO THE LIBRARY
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|V0Y\A
1911
to:
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
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Cbittas
Jttiiiitftis
North American Edition
ILLUSTRATED
1920
CHINA INLAND MISSION
Mission Offices:
237 SCHOOL LANE. PHILADELPHIA.. PA.
507 CHURCH STREET. TORONTO. CANADA
LIBPATJY
KNOX COLLEGE
TOROWTO
— i VOL. XXV ill. No. 1 THE ORCAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.50 PER YEAR
EBENEZER
CHINAS
MILUONS
er. December 12. 1917. at the post office at I
e (or mailing at special rate of postage provided
authorized July 18. 1918
MISSION OFFICES
CERMANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
TORONTO
JANUARY, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
A Three-Fold Cel
The "Fellowship of Prayer for China " . .
Opening of the Mrs. Carver Memori
Girls' School — By Mr. and Mrs. C.
Editorial Notes — By H. I
^Cberc tbq> bwelt
witb tbe htn$
for bte work.
I Cbronicles 3: 17
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE. SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Acting Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, NJ.
Rev. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Win. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
Elias Rogers, Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. J. McP. Scott, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitation of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1919, consisted of 1,057 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers,
some of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,600 stations and
outstations have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,079 baptized in 1918.
There are now about 45,000 communicants.
Since 1865, over 70,500 converts have been
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications for service
in China should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either of the
Mission offices.
NOTE.— Postage to all C.I.M. stations in China (including Shanghai, Chefoo. etc.) is
now five cents per ounce from Canada. The rates from the United States remain as they were.
In the case of a donation being intended as a contiibution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad.
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
transmission ' ' and for the private use of that individual.
FORM OF BEQUEST-I gi
to the China Inland Mission (se.
to be expended for the appro-
priate objects of said Mission ;
and I direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
sion shall be a sufficient dis-
charge for my executors in the
>nd bequeath. FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise unto dm
of Chin. Inland Mission (see note ) . all that certain (hen
of property) with the appurtenancea
' ' .pie. for the u. '
NOTE-Inc.se the will is
the United Sta
need to be inserted: "havii
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
the will is made out in Cam
lowing words need to be inse
T
fit and behalf of said Mission
forever; and direct that the re-
lease of the Home Director of
said Mission shall be a sufficient
discharge to my executors in
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows:
Germantown, Pa.
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave Weekly, Wednesday 8.00 p.
ic Weekly, Friday
IrchSt..
[. M. Home, 235 I
Pittsburg (N.S.), Pa.
Gospel Tabernacle,
Albany, N.Y.
Buffalo, N.Y., 562 East Utica St.
Lockport, N.Y., 189 East Ave. . . .
Ventnor, N.J (Atlantic City).
..8.00 p.tn
..Weekly, Monday 2.30 p.m
..Monthly, 1st Thursday S.30 a.m
..Monthly, 3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m
. .Monthly, last Tuesday 8.00 p.m
Cleveland, Ohio, 4223 Cedar Av
Detroit, Mich.
114 Stanford Ave
Grand Rapids, Mich.,
Res. Mr. K. Woniiink .-,34 C
Pontiac, Mich.
166 Mt. Clemens St
Laurium, Mich.
First Baptist Church
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. G. H. D. Hanson.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Tabernacle Bap. Cli 23rd A'
Bethel, Mir
Monthly, 1st Thursday b.00 p.t
nicy Ave..... Monthly, 1st Friday 7.43 p.i
Mouthly, 1st Friday 7.30 p. J
Monthly, 2nd Thursday 7.30 p.i
206 Harrison St... Weekly, Tuesday 8.00 p.t
e. S. and 8th St. .Monthly, Thursday after 1st Sunday.
The Baptist Church Monthly, Wednesday after 1st Sunday.
St. Louis, Mo., 4339 Delmar Boulevard Semi-Monthly, 2nd & 4th Monday, 8.00
Kansas City, Kai
of Mrs. O.
Berkeley, Cal.
Res., Mrs. Rakestraw,
Seattle, Wash.
Monthly, last Tuesday 8.00 p.m
n, 949 No. Normandie Ave.. .Monthly, 2nd Monday 7.46 p.m
mthly, 1st Thursday 5.00 p.m
..Monthly, 2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.m
mmeneing 2nd Monday Feb 8.00 p.m
Caroline St. Mission Monthly, 1st Wednesday.
Niagara Falls. Ont.
Res., Mr. D. McLean, 5 West Ave Monthly, 3rd Friday S.OO p.m.
Ottawa, Ont.. Y.W.C.A Monthly, 2nd Friday. 8.00 p.m.
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. Geo. E. Pegg Monthly, 1st Tuesday
Montreal, Que., 350 MacKay St... Monthly, 1st Monday 4 00 p m-
Halifax. N.S., at various homes Monthly, 2nd Monday S.16 p.».
Winnipeg, Man., 557 Wellington Cres Monthly, 1st Friday 3.00 p.m.
Calgary. Alta., 1328 11th Ave., W Monthly, 1st Monday .8.00 p.m.
r. B.C.
C I. M. Home, 1017 Tei
Bible Training School,
West Vance
th ^
way \\
in a-.
ast Wednesday 3.00 p.rr
Monthly, 1st Monday. .S.OO p.m
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO, JANUARY, 1920
Spiritual Statemanship
The Prayer Union Letter, or annual message, for 1 920, from the Home Director to the members
of the Prayer Union *
" There lh,\ d:ceit :oith /he kino for his :cork" ■— / Chronicles 4:23
THE live years of war. now happily past, gave
men a new and great vision. It is hard to find
compensation for war, whether such be great
or small, for all war blights true and holy living.
But here is a recompense. Men were thinking in
terms of towns and cities, or, at best, of nations.
Now, they are thinking in the larger terms of inter-
national and world life. In a natural sense, a uni-
versal brotherhood has been recognized, and, as a
result, it is felt that the interest of the whole is that
of every part. President Wilson has been the chief
exponent of this new order of thought and the pro-
posed League of Nations is the expression of this
larger conception of living. We may or may not
agree with the President and the League. But we
must admit that the one and the other have pro-
jected into life an altruism which has never before
been known. The reason is that the world war gave
a world vision. And what men have seen, they haw-
come to think and feel.
Moreover, -what has taken place has made each
man, not only a cosmopolitan but also a statesman.
The boot-black now has his idea of how battles
should be fought and peace should be secured. The
serving-maid, though she may be anti-suffrage, is
not slow to tell you what she thinks of Wilson,
Lloyd George and Clemenceau, and she has a posi-
tive conception of the methods of congress and
parliament. I saw- in New York two years ago, an
elderly man, with stumps of legs, sitting on the
pavement with his back against the wall of the
Madison Square Garden, patiently waiting for the
passer-by to purchase his tawdry wares of buttons
and shoe strings ; but he was not soliciting trade ;
on the contrary, he had his large-rimmed glasses on
and was pouring over the first-page news of the
"New York Times," and I doubt not that this beggar
would have been quite prepared to argue with you
concerning the right or wrong of the Gallipoli cam-
paign. Thus it is lower down. And thus it is, also,
*The China Inland
organized in 1893, to sec
China, the blessing of ;
prayer. It was felt — and is ten more
the needs of China and the Mission
this, the need of prayer.
Christian friends, now, from all
count it a privilege to be the Lord';
behalf of the Mission and of China,
embers of the Union. No pledge
nd thu
"Prayer
Mission,
frequent and united
»re and more— that all
)n may be reduced to
and officials; and all missic
aarts of the world,
remembrancers in
ind are enrolled as
_, as to the time of
prayer is asked for, but it is understood that, if possible,
petitions will be offered daily for the following definite
"objects":
All churches and Christians; all missionary societies
ndidates i
the
: helpers and native Christians
: helpers and native Christians
of Ch
ny
ved and
More laborers in China, foreign and native.
Any friend desiring to join this service at the throne
of grace in behalf of China's perishing millions is asked
to give name and address to the Prayer Union Secretary,
China Inland Mission, 507 Church St., Toronto, Out.
CHINA'S MILLIONS
higher up. The average business man, nowadays,
knows as much as the cleric of days gone by. Even
the ward politician of the present thinks more large-
ly than the senator of a few generations back.
Potentially, if not actually, low and high, poor and
rich have suddenly become statesmen, that is. men
who understand the art of government. Small life
lies behind us from this time on, for things on every
hand have suddenly become big. Men see and think
large ; they have therefore definite conceptions of
what needs to be done in the body politic.
And what is true of men at large is also and parti-
cularly true of Christians. In the nature of the case,
a Christian is a seer, a cosmopolitan and a states-
man. It is his birthright to possess these attributes.
The infinite Holy Spirit is in the man of God, the
all-period and all-the-world Scriptures are before his
eyes, and he has companionship with the good and
great of all times and climes. The son of a king
sees kingly things, hears kingly talk, and becomes,
in consequence, kingly in thought, word and deed.
So the Christian, by inheritance, sees world-widely,
thinks heaven-highly and lives in the realm of the
ages. Christians differ in regard to these things.
But a babe in Christ, in many respects, is greater
than the greatest man of the world ; for this is, at
least, true of him; he thinks with divine illumina-
tion, and hence broadly and truly. All this is the
meaning of the New Era movements of which we
hear so much just now. Whether or not we approve
of their methods and objectives, this much must be
admitted ; the)' have arisen, not from any bodies of
infidels and agnostics, but from companies of Chris-
tians, that is, from men and women who have the
larger vision and more compassionate spirit and who
greatly long to see the whole world blessed of God.
If, therefore, common men are bigger and more
statesmanlike than they were before the war, much
more are Christians. Theirs has been the place of
advantage ; and not a few have risen supremely to
their opportunity.
But now we need to safeguard ourselves. Speak-
ing in general terms may lead to false conclusions,
and there is special danger of this with such a sub-
ject as is before us. As a matter of fact, simply
being men of these times does not denaturalize
us, and simply being Christians in these last and
most wonderful days does not transform us. If
we are but men, we need as well to be Christians ;
and if we are Christians we need as well to be Spirit-
filled Christians. We may see largely and yet need
to see more clearly. We may think great thoughts
and yet need to think more true ones. The larger
statesmanship, therefore, is not so easily obtained.
It is Spirit-given. It comes from above, from the
Father of lights. It has to do with heaven as well
as earth. And it ever puts divine things before
human. Christ is never spoken of as a statesman.
But, in truth, He is the only true Statesman who
ever lived. And as far as we shall be statesmen,
we must be like Him. It is with this thought now
that we shall be occupied. We desire to consider in
closing what spiritual statesmanship really is.
A spiritual statesman, however learned and wise
he may be, seeks constantly to be taught of God. It
is a cardinal principle with the true Christian that
he is not sufficient unto himself, even under the
most favorable conditions. He realizes that that
which is born of the flesh is flesh ; that the natural
man is enmity against God; that something more
is needed than education; that even Sabbath obser-
vance, church going, holy associations, active ser-
vice, may never in themselves transform life ; that
correct preaching, good reading, pure and high con-
versation are after all only means to a higher end ;
that the one great and persistent objective of the
spirit must be to reach God, to hear His voice, to
learn of Him. This is Protestantism, the individual
right of access into God's presence, mind and heart.
And this is life, to know God and Jesus Christ whom
He has sent. The man with the large vision, there-
fore, will see the infinite and eternal, and the man
with the large understanding will listen above all to
the heavenly voice. Paul was such an one as this ;
and this one said: "The things of God knoweth no
man, but the Spirit of God." Hence he compared
spiritual things with spiritual. Both the first and
last word of every true statesman-saint is this :
"Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth !"
A spiritual statesman is one who daily searches
the Scriptures and who ever sets his heart to under-
stand and obey them. The right-minded Christian
is one who believes that God has spoken, fully,
accurately and authoritatively. Literature, there-
fore, however beautiful and uplifting, never dis-
places the Word. History, instructive as it is, never
takes the first place as an educator. The magazine
are ever tested by higher truth. The scientist is
listened to with respect when he talks science, but
not necessarily so when he talks theology. The
philosopher is admired, but not worshipped, his
dictums being held as a wisdom which is under the
sun. Even the preacher is weighed in the balance.
Sunday by Sunday, for after all he is but a man.
and if he speaks not according to the Book there is
no truth in him. In other words, there is for the
true Christian but one final utterance amidst the
many voices which sound though space and time,
namely, the living Word of the living God. The
man of large mind and heart, therefore, always says
before every new phase of thought and life : "What
saith the Scripture?" Tested by this, and this
alone, all things stand or fall. And this is peculiarly
the case in these perilous times. A wealthy and
highly intellectual woman said to me recently: "I
read the Bible in these days as never before ; I
should be frightened to live a single hour without
it."
A spiritual statesman is a man who makes it his
first and chief business to pray. Prayer to some is
a means of getting things from God. Prayer to
others is this, but far more. It is giving something
to God, it is making solemn appointments with Him
in order to understand His ways and enter into His
plans ; it is working with Him, often in soul travail
and agony, in bringing to pass in heaven above and
on earth below His age-long purposes. Such an one
does not take prayer lightly. It is a delightful bur-
JANUARY. 1920
den, because of its sacred companionship; never-
theless, it is indeed a burden, and a heavy one. The
intercessor, therefore, takes time for prayer and
abandons himself to it. He prays without ceasing
and in detail. Moreover, he has more confidence in
prayer, in bringing blessing to men, than he has in
armies, navies, diplomats, senates, peace leagues, or
any other human agencies or designs. Prayer to
him is like God Himself, infinite in wisdom and
power. The man who prays, therefore, is the seer,
the idealist, the universal man. And he is the man
to be feared, so far as sin and wrong are concerned.
Times have not changed in one respect. It is still
true that every Queen Mary quakes before every
John Knox. The spiritual statesman is one who
rules the nations through the throne of grace.
A spiritual statesman is one who puts the world
before his nation, the Kingdom before the world,
and the King before the Kingdom. Most Christians
suffer from spiritual astigmatism ; they are largely
blind and do not see afar off. In consequence, their
perspective is bad, seeing near things as far and
sometimes far things as near. It is a sad thing
when a man's parish is his back yard and his world
the front street. Such a man needs to walk out
upon the hills and see the valleys lying on every
side. Would that all of us could be spiritual aviators,
going up high and beholding far-reaching distances.
I heard the other day of a woman who passed
through New York into New Jersey by the subway
and tube, and who replied, on being asked what
she thought of the city, that she could not tell, for
she had only had a worm's eye view of it. This
is the case with many of us. We live too low down
to get the upper and large visions. Hence, we are
national and racial when we should realize that we
arc citizens of a heavenly country, with all the world
our home and all men our spiritual or natural
brethren.
But such an one never confuses his foreview. The
world is great, but it is never as great as the King-
dom. Till the breaking of the dawn his prayer is
ever, "Thy kingdom come !" for he knows that the
world will never be right till the Kingdom has taken
its place. In spite then of all apparent good, his
golden age ever lies before him, and it is his entice-
ment, his ambition, his objective of prayer and ser-
vice. That word, "In the days of these kings shall
the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall
never be destroyed," fascinates him and he gives
himself utterly to its fulfillment. Great, therefore,
is his expectation. Even in dark days, he sees a
shining light ; and even in hopeless days he sings
his song of triumph and praise. This kind of a
statesman is an optimist, for ever and irrevocably.
He already sees the Kingdom and all the glory
thereof, and he joys with a great rejoicing.
However, a man of this kind is never dazzled by
the glory, for he sees a glory within the glory, the
glory that excelleth. To him, the glory of all glories
is the Lord. It is not a transformed world, a world
at peace, a world bowed down before Jehovah's
throne which entices him. It is the vision of the
Christ come at last to His own, highly exalted,
crowned, worshiped and adored, which thrills his
soul. When, therefore, he prays, "Thy kingdom
come," he adds, "Even so come, Lord Jesus." For
him, there is no kingdom apart from the King; and
there is no King but Christ. The true statesman
cries with Count Zinzendorf : "I have but one pas-
sion ; it is He, it is He!" The statesman-saint,
therefore, is one who waits ardently for Christ's
appearing.
Are we dwelling with the King for His work?
If we are not, we are but petty politicians. If we
are, we are statesmen indeed !
'Good Ground" on the Tibetan Border
By Mr. FRANK D. LEARNER, Siningfu, Kansu
WHO can tell when
it is "good
ground" on which
the seed is falling? The
preacher has to preach
in faith.
On one of my previ-
ous visits to Laohuku
we had a service in the
shade of the trees of a
pine forest quite close
at hand. There were
to have a talk with me. I learned that this young
man was present at this very meeting in the forest,
and that at that time he had quietly made up his
mind to "walk the Heavenly road." How thankful
I was ! and I made up my mind to be more trustful
in the future.
There is a little village just a couple of miles from
Laohuku where we have a Christian named T'ieh.
This Mr. T'ieh put his name down as an inquirer
the early part of the year, and it is very wonderful
how this dear man has gone forward. He has
received very much persecution during the past few
meeting. At the end I
really felt quite dis-
appointed. Just last evening a young fellow came
certainly quite a lot of months. Because he was not willing to contribute
people present, but money to the building of a new temple and other
somehow I felt there matters connected with heathen worship, he was
was no power in the beaten very severely by his village people. His
T own brothers, thinking that the beating was not
severe enough, also beat him themselves. One of
them kicked him in the chest. Poor Mr. T'ieh was
here to the T'ang (hall) and said that he wanted taken home in a very bad condition and had to keep
CHINAS MILLIONS
on the k'ang (bed) for two months before he could
get up again. When he told me this he was very
meek over it. and asked me if 1 would go over to
the village and give his brothers a word or two and
he thought it would be all right. Praise God for
this man ! When I was there I called the village
elders together and told them very clearly that
after this Mr. T'ieh could not be expected to give
any money to anything relating to heathen worship,
nor take part in any heathen practice. They prom-
ised me that there would be no repetition of what
had happened in the past.
A young man named Wang was at an open air
service which I conducted on the street at Ueiuenpu
in the early part of the year. I remember that ser-
vice very well. There was a big crowd of people
there, and as I was single-handed, I was just done up
when that service was over, with very little voice
left. I remember at the end giving away some
tracts, not being able to sell books, it being Sun-
day. This Mr. Wang got a tract and then put out
his hand for another, but I was only giving one
apiece, so he did not get another. However, he went
home and read the one tract, and by means of the
words I had said at the meeting and the words on
that tract, he made up his mind to follow Jesus.
At a place called Maopehsheng', while I was sit-
ting in the inn, there came a knock on the door and
in walked a Tibetan. I invited him to sit down and
have some tea with me. He did so, and during our
conversation he told me that he had come over
from his village, thirteen or more miles away, on
purpose to invite me over to his home. He would
not take "No," so I had to accept the invitation.
The next day found us at his village among the
mountains, and a very pretty little place too. I was
surprised with the way they treated me, never hav-
ing met me before. He had heard about me from a
friend, and this friend having told him the Gospel as
he had heard it from me, this Tibetan was aroused
by such Good News.
On our arrival a sheep was quickly killed, and it
was not very long before we were all feasting on
it to our heart's content. I do not think I have
ever drunk so much rich milk before in all my life.
This C'hi family seem to be a very well-to-do fam-
ily, and they gave me all that I could possibly want
to eat.
His reason for inviting me over was to hear more
of the Gospel and he expressed a wish to put his
name down on our books.
A day or so before I left home, in talking to Mrs.
Learner I had remarked, "It would be so nice if we
could see one Tibetan showing real interest in the
Gospel before we go home at the end of the year."
I even went further, saying, "Oh, that one Tibetan
could be baptized before we go home ! I would
take it as a definite encouragement from God."
Little did I think that the answer was so near.
I do indeed take this as a token of His love.
It will be very hard for this Tibetan family to
come right out, but "to him that believeth all things
are possible." The land that they live on belongs to
a Tibetan lamasery, and if this family become Chris-
tians there will be the possibility of their being
turned out of the place.
If this Mr. C'hi really comes right out on the
Lord's side — and I fully believe that he will do so —
it will mean a very great deal more to him than it
would, for instance, to a Chinaman, as the Tibetan
people are just steeped in idolatry. But I feel sure
that we can bring this man in through our prayers.
Please, all of you, help in this!
Let there be a start of Tibetans coming, and I
think there will be others. There is an awakening
among these Tibetans as never before, and I think
that the time is not far distant when many thous-
ands will be brought out from darkness.
Since I have been back, Mr. C'hi and an old uncle
have been to the T'ang (hall) here on a visit, and
they were our guests for the time. Please pray for
Mr. C'hi and his family, that they may be thorough-
lv converted and before very long.
From Trouble to Truth
By Mrs. W. H. HOCKMAN, Luchow, Szechwan
IT is three years since we came here and I took not long before opportunities came which brought
up the work among the women and girls. Work
among the women has had a very poor chance,
as it is about eight years since a lady worked in the
midst of them.
There were not more than seven or eight coming
to the meetings each week, but I thank God it was
into closer touch. A little medicine given, gave
the impression one was a full-fledged doctor ! and
numbers came for help, while I was frequently
called to receive little Chinamen into the world,
which meant the mother was visited and was soon
one among us.
JANUARY. 1920
During- the first summer we had a tremendous
flood. The river rose very suddenly one night, and
by morning the poor people were hurrying away
with their beds and belongings on their backs while
driving geese, ducks, pigs and children before them.
Our door was opened and shelter given. Homeless
groups were sitting in all corners of the Mission
compound, and as the day wore on and there was
no opportunity to get dinner, some rice and tea was
provided and the Gospel preached. The next day
the river rose higher, and still the refugees came;
by this time the water was about ten feet from our
door. The streets were filled with people carrying
away tables, beds, etc., while others made rafts of
doors and put the small children on to get them
away. I saw one little family being poled along
like this till all at once one little fellow stooped to
put his hand into the water and the door upset, giv-
ing the whole family a bath.
As the water went down the people returned to
their drenched homes. We had made many friends
and our numbers grew.
The winter following, other sorrows were in store
for us, and, as you know, our city changed hands
three times in two months, with all that that means
of suffering, danger and death. Our compound was
full of poor, frightened women and girls who had
come to us for protection from the soldiers. They
stayed with us for several months, and we had a
splendid opportunity of preaching the Gospel, for
fear softens the heart. Ladies of title were here
with the poorest, and hearts were touched, while
many were willing to soil their hands and help us
care for the wounded as they were brought in.
At that time there were hundreds who wanted to
put their names down as incjuirers, but we knew
they were not all really seeking after the truth, so
we waited for peace. By that time many had drop-
ped out, and we have not seen them since, but like
the gold washers, the sand sifts away but the grains
of gold remain, and to-day by God's blessing we
have forty coming regularly to meetings to be
taught to read and love the Scriptures, while a week
or two ago eight were baptized and received into
the church. Others will, I hope, follow soon, as at
the last service some were hindered through sick-
ness and other reasons.
May I take your time to listen to the story of two
of these dear women. One was a proud lad}- ol
rank, hard, and a very strict idolater. She was a
refugee and came with the rest of the women of her
family. When I met her first I smiled and asked
if she were well, but I could see she wished to have
nothing to do with us, although she came to our
compound for shelter. As there were such numbers
1 was continuallv going round to see all was in
order, and each day we had Gospel talks, to which
they all came. At first I noticed Mrs. In did not
come, so I went to her room, and instead of press-
ing her' to come I talked with her there. She
scarcely responded and her face was set and hard.
I waited my time, speaking a word as I could and
just being kind ; then gradually she came to the
meeting and asked to buy a Bible. She could read
well, and ere long the truth reached her heart. It
was a shock to her at first to find the idols were
false and all her years of vows and religion were
as nothing, but as the truth reached her, her heart
was changed, and what was even more noticeable,
her face changed. The cold, hard, set look gave
way to a look of rest. Indeed, her face shines. Her
daughter-in-law also believed, while her husband
and son who were coming to the services became
interested in the Gospel. As the time came for them
to return home, Mrs. In said, "Our idols must come
down." She spoke to her husband, who was also
willing. A service was arranged, and the gods they
had worshipped all these years were burnt to ashes.
As our little company of Christians rose to sing,
"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Mow." I
looked at Mrs. In. Her fact' was radiant and smil-
ing. Some of us wept for joy. It is nearly two
years since then, and now she has followed the Lord
in baptism. She was one of those who could not
come on the day appointed. Although she was very
ill, she was carried in a chair to the service, but
went home crying, for she said, "Oh, that I had been
aide to confess the Lord. I fear I shall die and have
not followed His command." She was very ill for
a few days and as she got a little better, it was
arranged for her to be baptized, much to the joy
of everyone.
The second case is somewhat different. Mrs. Liu
is only twenty, with no parents or relatives — only a
husband who is always away. She got in with
questionable companions and fell into sin. Loneli-
ness and hunger of heart brought her to the weekly
meeting, where she drank in the story of redemption
for sinners. She could not believe at first that she
could be forgiven, still she came and learned quickly
to read, and gradually got peace in believing. She
gave up the old companions at the first and said to
me, "Si Mu, I don't even look their way. It is the
devil." For two years she has hardly missed a class
or service and is one of the most lovable little
women I have met.
"Pray for my husband," she says. She cannot
speak much to him about the Gospel, but she does
all she can to get him in touch with Christians.
Our evangelist has talked with him several times.
1 am glad to say he was willing for his wife to be
baptized.
As I looked at her happy face the day she was
baptized, I thought of those words in Luke: "Tell
me, therefore, which of them will love Him most?
He to whom He forgave most. And the Lord
answered, Thou hast rightly judged."
I am sure you would rejoice with me to see these
dear women who have broken vegetarian vows, lived
down opposition, taken down idols, and who to-day
have confessed Christ and now meet with His chil-
dren at the Lord's Table. Ladies of rank and one-
time Mary Magdalenes sitting together cleansed,
redeemed, by the precious blood of Christ.
I cannot but feel that if we had another lady here
to help, much more might have been accomplished
li\ visiting and following up that which had already
been done.
CHINAS MILLIONS
A Chinese Cromwell
Mrs. J. GOFORTH, in the "Honan Messenger," October, 1919
•""THERE has been much prayer going up for the
1 mission just closing here (Ch'angteh, Hunan
Province) and God has been answering in mani-
fest blessing. The movement which has been going
on among General Feng's 9,000 troops for some time
is so truly wonderful it seems like a fairy story.
We had heard much of the marvels accomplished
by General Feng during the one year he has been
in this city, but what we have seen surpasses what
we have heard.
The General himself is a fine looking man of over
six feet one. He at once impresses one as being
every inch a general, yet without a trace of the bom-
bast so often seen in the higher Chinese. His man-
ner is a curious combination of humility, dignity,
and a quiet commanding power. One at once feels
he is a man to be trusted. He has certainly made
great strides in the six years of his Christian life.
Some few months ago he received a great spiritual
uplift through a Mr. Hsieh, who was greatly blessed
in the Changte revival in 1909.
That General Feng has the welfare of his men,
both body and soul, at heart, is seen on all sides.
There is an industrial school for men who are near-
ing the age limit of the army, an industrial school
for women, a regular school for the sixty or seventy
officers' wives, which is taught by a Christian gradu-
ate of the Girls' College, Peking, and who is the
wife of one of the general's staff officers. There is
a good reading room for the officers and men. All
kinds of athletic sports are encouraged. The order
and cleanliness of the men's quarters is wonderful,
no smoking, drinking, swearing, or other vices being
allowed. All bad resorts are crushed out. If the
general, when on the street, sees anything objec-
tionable, as a questionable picture, it is torn down
and destroyed.
But what rejoiced us most, was the Christian
spirit in evidence everywhere. The other morning
as Mr. Goforth and I passed through several of the
soldiers' courts on our way to the general's quar-
ters, the men were about to have breakfast in each
court, and we saw the groups of men standing
reverently, singing a Christian hymn of thanksgiv-
ing. Every evening, the missionaries living near
say they hear the soldiers singing their evening
hymns. Sometimes it is "Oh, Come to My Heart,
Lord Jesus," or "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,"
but the hymn the soldiers march through the streets
to, is "Onward Christian Soldiers."
This mission has indeed been absolutely unique.
Twice a day Mr. Goforth has had an audience of
over a thousand men, chiefly officers. The scene
one day was touching in the extreme, when General
Feng broke down as he prayed for his country, and
sobbed like a child. Officers and men all over the
building wept with the general, who, as he recov-
ered himself, stood erect before them and pleaded
for his country. Then followed a scene it would be
difficult to describe. Officer after officer prayed and
broke down. The burden of all was the same —
their country, and their. own failure to meet its need.
That the army discipline was unbroken was seen as
the general rose to leave, and all rose to their feet
as one man.
Mr. Goforth and the general returned yesterday
from a three days' visit to a military outpost
twenty-three or more miles distant. Mr. Goforth
says it was the most wonderful time he ever spent.
Two hundred and seventy-five officers and men were
baptized. Five hundred had been baptized some
months ago. Two hundred and thirty-two officers
and non-commissioned officers are to be baptized
to-day, at the urgent request of the general and the
consent of the missionary here.
The meeting's among the officers' wives for which
the general asked me to come, have been most
encouraging, practically all signified their wish to
follow the Lord Jesus. Miss V ■ (of the C. and
M. A.) is to continue, as she has time, the work
among these ladies.
A very wonderful door is now opened, but the
great need is efficient teachers, both for the men
and the women. We have never before seen or
heard anything like it in China.
A Summer Gathering of Missionaries
By Mr. C. HOWARD BIRD, Fukow, Honan
AT Kikungshan, we were in charge of the Carr
Memorial Sanitorium once more and we had
the privilege of having in the home, or "Bird's
Nest," several missionaries from other provinces
besides Honan, one being Miss Murray from Yang-
chow.
As soon as we got to the hill we found a spirit of
hunger and expectation of blessing on the part of
almost everyone, so we started a noon prayer meet-
ing. It was attended by about forty or fifty and
continued right on through the whole season. This
meeting was generally led by Dr. Goforth, and at
the end, nearly everybody said that they had never
had such a blessed and happy summer.
We missionaries in the China Inland Mission were
nearly seventy, counting Associate missionaries.
We had the pleasure and privilege of having Dr. and
Mrs. Howard Taylor with us, and while there, we
all pledged ourselves to prayer for a forward move-
ment and revival in our Chinese churches when we
got home. One answer came even before we left
the hill.
Dr. and Mrs. Goforth went down to Changteh, in
Hunan, to take meetings for the Christian General
JANUARY. 1920
Front row (right
Kli/aheth Beinholt, Bobbv Walker. Bernard Walkei
Second Row (sitting): Mrs. Howard Bird, Mrs. W. Gu
Anna Janzon. Dr. Goforth, Mi
i Inn! Row (standing):
Goforth. Mis
... __iss Tipp
Wohlleber, Mr. Beckm;
Dr. Keller. M
t. Mrs. Talbot, Mrs. 1
Howard Bird.-
Karin Beinhoff, Rudolf Bergling, Elm
Keller, Dr. Howard Taylor,
Beinhoff, Grace Hollander,
. Taylor, Miss Murray, Miss
Witt. Mrs. Witt, M
Mr. Shearer.
Fourth Row (sitting): Mrs. Ilogben. Miss Hacking. Miss Dennuighoft. A]
\ime Krickssnn, Mrs. Brock. \Ii-s Oaksliott Mower), Mrs. Ringberg, Ml "
Back row (standing): Mr. Rov Baker, Mi T
Trickev, Mr. Barham. Mr. Tomkin-.m. M
Anderson, Mr. Anderson. Miss Esther Be
— . MiS:
Mrs. Beckman, Miss Agnes Forsberg, Mis:
ig, Mrs. Barham, Mrs. Beinhoff, Miss Ohrlander, Mis;
Hogben, Mr. James Taylor. Mr. Hollander. Miss Shaip, Mr. Trickey. Mrs
' st (Swedish Slate Chun h Mission), Mrs. Richan
rwegian workers.
there, Feng Yu-hsiang. Dr. Goforth came back with when our small community of only three hundred
the report that hundreds of officers were keen Chris- missionaries promised to give $6,000 towards a new
tians and present at meetings twice a day, the building in which to worship God. The church was
General himself, more often than not, taking the packed in the afternoon ; I could not even get inside,
chair. General Feng was keen that the missionaries After an address by Dr. Torrey on the Holy Spirit,
should come and give the officers Bible teaching, almost everyone rose and claimed a fresh infilling-
and that the Gospel should be preached to the thous- of the Spirit.
ands of soldiers as well. As the men are all north- At night, outside our China Inland Mission home,
erners, great numbers being from Honan and not we had our usual song service. There was a full
understanding the southern dialect, it constituted a moon, and the hundreds of people, with numbers of
strong appeal that we should pray for the work and children, almost everybody dressed in white,
that, if possible, missionaries from Honan should go together with the singing, made it a real foretaste
down and help. of what heaven will be.
General Feng is a most simple Christian, yet
believes in an application of Christianity to every-
thing in daily life. He wanted his wife to believe,
and to please him she was baptized some time ago.
But she had no root of the matter in her. Much
prayer went up for her on the hill, and Mrs.
Goforth, while at Changteh, had great hope that she
really decided to follow the Lord.
This year, too, we were favored and honored by
visits from several well-known teachers from
America, Doctors Harlan Beach, Campbell and
» Dr e Torrey only spent one Sunday with us, but it day of the year for their own and other Christian
was a most wonderful day. We began it with a families! In all of the nearly forty outstations they
communion service, when over eighty missionaries had provided rooms or small chapels with seats,
of all denominations, Church of England, Lutheran, platforms, and often organs, complete, and the local
Presbyterian, etc., met around the Lord's table, church members would minister there. There are
There was great rejoicing at the morning service over a thousand church members in the district.
Dr. Campbell is a Baptist minister from Van-
couver, visiting China and India, traveling alone.
He was much used when at Chefoo, and some said
they had never got so much help from any speaker.
I must not stop to tell you all about the wonder-
ful work I saw going on at Kwangchow, earlier in
the summer. But I had the privilege of going out
myself to several of the outstations and seeing such
numbers of Christian homes, with all the members
of the families Christians, and the church in their
own homes, where they had evening worship every
CHINAS MILLIONS
A Pastoral Visit
r by Mr. C. H. STEVENS, Fengsiang, Sher
OJR objective
was a few
s c a 1 1 e red
homes situated in
the hills about
eight or nine miles
to the north.
There were omin-
ous dark clouds
over the hills, but
shod with sandals
and armed with
an umbrella the
start was made
early one morn-
ing. Ere we
reached the foot
of the hills thun-
der boomed, light-
ning flashed and
slight rain began
to fall ; this acted as an incentive to speed ahead.
On reaching a village at the foot of the hills rain
came down in torrents and we rushed to an empty
cave. It was so filthy that a friendly fellow came
and escorted us to a cleaner one near by. While
sheltering, there was an opportunity to "preach
the Word" to a few who also gathered in for
shelter.
As the rain abated we proceeded, but alas, the
water had already made the road muddy and slip-
pery, and ascent was difficult. We plodded on and
eventually reached the home of a young Christian
farmer and his wife. Their home is a single cave
occupied by themselves, their cow and donkey.
They gave us a hearty welcome (even the donkey
brayed lustily), and they soon provided refresh-
ments in the way of thick chunks of dark bread and
sliced garlic flavored with capsicum, accompanied
by a beverage made of stewed beans of some tree
which was a good substitute for tea. A good appe-
tite is a most useful thing on these visits.
We then proceeded to see a pitiable couple some
little distance farther on. The husband is a chronic
invalid and the wife blind. They are poorly off so
far as this world's goods go. The woman is one
of our church members ; the husband has not yet
been baptized. Even these, some short time since,
had to escape from marauding banditti. To hear
the woman narrate the experience you might have
thought she was describing a picnic. She further
remarked in conversation that although she had not
received her sight back since becoming a Christian,
still she had not knocked herself in going about any-
thing like she previously used to. Surely some of
us might well pray, "Lord, increase our gratitude
as well as our faith."
We knelt down and had prayer together, and
though it is a poor place to have to call home, still
"where two or three .... in My name, there am
1." Thank God, the Presence sanctifies the place
and the hovel may be as holy as the cathedral !
Marvelous grace !
We retraced our steps to the young farmer's
home and had prayer there before leaving. The
young wife, a buxom young woman, not twenty, at
first had objected to her husband becoming a Chris-
tian ; now she has not only accepted Christ as her
Savior, but is even more diligent to learn than her
husband. She was anxious to have another copy of
a catechism she had been learning, and which had
been lost escaping from the robbers.
We would ask much prayer for these two. They
might become an increasing power for the truth in
their district. Leaving them, we paid a visit to
another home where one young man was the only
Christian in a heathen family.
They were just having - their midday meal and
pressed us to join, which we did gladly. The meal
consisted of rather thick strips of dough thrown
into boiling water and ladled out when scarcely or
only just cooked through. This is put into basins
and a little capsicum with it to flavor, also vinegar
and a little salt (if they happen to have any). It
was rather a solid repast, testing one's digestive
powers and acting as ballast for the journey home.
Friends at home might occasionally remember the
missionaries' digestive organs in their prayers for
them.
I am alone (July, 1919) for two or three months,
my dear wife having gone for a much needed rest
and change to spend a time at Ruling. Our daughter
is joining her. We were both going, but just on
leaving we heard rumors of possible fresh troubles
soon, so I elected to return home, having escorted
my wife four days on the way.
The shortest way, is not always right; nor the
smoothest the safest ; therefore be not surprised, if
the Lord choose the farthest and the roughest; but
be sure of this, He will choose the best. — Selected.
JANUARY, 1920
A Three-fold Celebration at Pingliang,
Kansu
Associated with the China Inland Mission since the
early nineties, and with sixty-four workers laboring in
Shensi and eastern Kansu, the Scandinavian Alliance
Mission is an American organization which we are glad
to have this occasion to mention in "China Millions."
Notwithstanding its headquarters are in Chicago, most
of the literature of this Associate Mission is published in
Swedish, though two of its -workers have contributed the
following in English.
TO all interested in the local and widespread
activity that Pingliang represents, September
17th to the 21st were conference days of great
significance for three reasons: first, as marking
the twenty-fifth anniversary of mission work here,
locally ; secondly, on account of the dedication of
the magnificent new house of worship ; thirdly, be-
cause of the celebration of the silver wedding of
our beloved friends and co-workers. Rev. and Mrs.
D. Tornvall.
The spirit of joy and thanksgiving was very
marked throughout the conference. Old friends
came from far and near to rejoice with those who
rejoiced.
Were there not many reasons to be joyful? God
had mercifully spared life 'and health for twenty-
five long years ; He had proved His faithfulness ; He
had proved that they labor not in vain who work
for the Kingdom ; and as a climax to all the mercies,
the new church was completed, speaking definitely
and forcibly of the work done in the past and of
increased work and effort in the future.
The 17th was the wedding anniversary, and the
21st was the day of the church dedication. The
days between were marked by special efforts to
preach the glorious Gospel to the five to eight hun-
dred who crowded in to hear — gentry, high officials,
students, merchants, and soldiers, together with
the common people. Silken banners with Chinese
characters significant of the occasion were brought
by the score as gifts to Mr. and Mrs. Tornvall. Fur-
thermore, to show their interest, the people gave a
generous offering of about 200,000 cash to dedicate
the church treasury. This offering is to be used in
the newly erected hospital.
We would ask our friends and co-workers every-
where to join us in praise and rejoicing, and in
prayer for continued success.
The "Fellowship of Prayer for China"
QUOTING from a letter of Mrs. Mason's, of
Kwangchow, which told of many women (129
in two days) accepting Jesus as their Savior
in Miss Gregg's special meetings, Mrs. Howard
Taylor writes on October 4th, from Hankow :
"Many of us are praying daily for a mighty mov-
ing of the Holy Spirit in this land. Shall we not
thank God for the above tidings just received and
take courage? Our Fellowship of Prayer, com-
menced at Kikung and Ruling this summer, now
numbers about three hundred members. The Lord
is willing and able to do far greater things than any
we have yet seen. Let us continue steadfastly in
prayer for widespread revival among the churches
and a great ingathering of precious souls. Jeremiah
33:3; Isaiah 44:3.
Dr. Taylor and I have just returned from Nanyoh
in Hunan — Dr. Keller's Autumn Bible School —
where we have seen and heard wonderful things
of God's working. We go on next week to Kwang-
chow to remain, D.V., till the close of the year."
Prayer is like opening a sluice between the great
ocean and our little channels, when the sea gathers
itself together and flows in at full tide.-
— Lord Tennyson.
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Opening of the Mrs. Carver Memorial
Girls' School
By Mr. and Mrs. C. A. BUNTING. Kanchow, Kiangsi
THE "Airs. Carver Memorial" Girls' School was
opened on September 24th. It was a very
brilliant affair. The rooms other than the
class rooms were all arranged for the reception of
quests, and graded according to the different classes
of society. Officials, gentry, merchants and scholars
were entertained in their respective places and by
different sets of entertainers.
The compound was transformed into a large
marquee, the roof of which was composed of webs
of cloth exhibiting the colors of the national flag of
China, and in the brilliant sunshine it was a sight
such as orientals delight in.
After light refreshments, all adjourned to the
tent, where, under the chairmanship of Mr. H. D.
Hu, an "old boy" of the C.I.M. Boys' School of this
city, the proceedings opened by the singing of a
hymn, prayer, and the reading of Psalm 1. The
chairman in his opening introductory remarks paid
a very high tribute to the work of the late Mrs.
Carver in Kanchow, and really no higher tribute
was required than his own presence on the platform
that day, as he is one of the products of her work,
and one of which none need be ashamed.
Addresses were delivered by Mr. Kin, represent-
ing the civil governor of the city; Mr. Liu, chair-
man of the local educational board ; Mr. Ding-, a
former teacher of the C.I.M. Boys' School ; Dr. Y.
G. Hsiao, another C.I.M. "old boy," gave a stirring
address on the education of girls and the benefits to
be expected therefrom: (1) to the home, (2) to
society, and (3) to the nation. Among other ad-
dresses a message was delivered from Mr. Carver to
parents, pointing out the vital necessity of a Scrip-
ture foundation on which to build any education
worthy of the name. That gathering was a real
success, and Miss Bond now starts on her work with
the goodwill and good wishes of the leading fam-
ilies of this city.
We trust this school will be a very great blessing
to the whole district, and that many in it will be led
to the Lord Jesus. Your prayers will be very much
appreciated. Let us join in prayer that all scholars
passing through it may be saved during their school
days. Please don't forget the three girls who are
in training to be teachers here in the future.
Stories from Rebel-ruled Shensi
By Miss ANNIE E. ELDRIDGE, Chefoo
IN Chefoo this summer, we have had Mr. and Mrs.
Watson of the English Baptist Mission, from
Sanyuan, the centre of the rebel movement in
Shensi. This province has for many years been
much disturbed by robber bands and has seen all
kinds of lawlessness. The city of Sanyuan is held
by the rebels, and the commander-in-chief lives
there. When Mr. Watson brought his son to school
here last year he was obliged to get two passports
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— one from the rebel commander to allow them to
leave the city and travel through his governed area,
and another from the Government to travel further ;
and before leaving, he called on the rebel chief to
say that as he had to go, he would leave his wife
and family in his charge and would hold him, the
chief, responsible for seeing that no harm came to
them. He found all safe on his return home some
weeks later.
There has not been much peace in Sanyuan for
three years. It is a storm centre. On one occasion
10,000 robbers paid a visit, taking away all that was
valuable. Yet the missionaries and the Christians
are respected by these different robber bands, of
which there are four or five. None of these trust
each other, but all respect the Christians. To pos-
sess a Bible is as good as having a passport. On
one occasion 10 taels were offered for a Bible, and
last year the sale was phenomenal — now they do not
sell them except to "learners." Colporteurs are
about the only people who can travel in Shensi
without being molested.
There is a spiritual work going on among these
rebels. One of them came one day, saying they
were thinking of starting a Bible class, and wanted
the preaching hall and an evangelist put at their
disposal. The missionaries, having to be careful
lest the Civil Governor should think they were in
league with the rebels, said they could not have
anything to do with it.
"But, it is your work," was the reply. "Here are
men waiting to study the Scriptures !"
"All right ! Go on and study, but not in our hall."
So they engaged a room, began to study Mark,
and asked Mr. Watson to come. Two men ("offi-
cers") who had been in the Mission schools, were
helping them. Mr. Watson gave them an occasional
evening, answering questions, etc. Afterward, the
missionaries withdrew the objection to their using
the hall, for they felt the work was of God.
This work has gone on for one and a half years.
Begun with ten, it has now branched out into two
JANUARY, 1920
13
classes, and about fifty now meet every day for the
study of the Word of God.
In the spring three young officers were baptized,
after being kept a long time waiting. They came
last July, but were put off until October ; then again
being put off till January, they came asking why
they could not be received, — Was it because they
were in the rebel movement? They were quite will-
ing to be delayed, but, they said, "We cannot trust
more than a year hence than we do to-day." In
April they were baptized, the commander-in-chief
and several officers being present at the service.
As regards the church members, some have gone
back under the trials, but most have stood splen-
didly. It has not been as easy for those in small
communities as for those in the city who had the
missionaries' help and protection.
There is a village about two days' journey from
Sanyuan that was visited at least a dozen times by
the robbers. A gong would be sounded at first sign
of them as warning for the women and children to
escape to the hills.
A Christian of this place said: "There is no need
for all this. Our God can protect us. I, for one,
will not take my wife and family up the hills, but
will stay where I am. I am going to put God to
the test."
The neighbors scoffed at first, then said, "Well,
perhaps he is not such a fool as we think. It may
be we are the fools." One of them made the request,
"Will you let my wife and child stay?" Another
asked for his little girls to stay, too. So these
stayed with the Christian family and the men went
up the hills. Every house was torn up but this
man's ; only his escaped the looting. In speaking
of it after, he said. "I was just inside praying."
In the same village was another church member
who had been a Christian for eight or ten years, a
silversmith — rather a weak character. After the
raid he was in a great state. He had lost 200 taels.
and not his own either, so he was finding fault in no
measured terms.
"Where were you?" asked the evangelist.
"I ran off to hide."
"Then who are you scolding? Me, or God, or
yourself? I've told you before that if you trust
God He will keep. This man (turning to the two-
year-old Christian) stayed at home and God took
care of him. You should have been in your shop.
If you think so little of your taels of silver as to run
off and leave them, you can't expect the Lord to be
your doorkeeper, can you?"
For the missionaries it has been a nerve strain
all these years, and a great responsibility. Some-
times for weeks they have not undressed at night
and only slept lightly. Once, in obedience to an
urgent message from the Foreign Office, and also
the head of their Mission to leave Sanyuan for a
place of safety, they prepared to go. Carts were
ordered and all was ready to start next day. At
supper Mrs. Watson expressed the thought that
they ought to stay. "It seems to me," she said,
"that we are dishonoring God to go and leave this
people. We shall have no face to see them again
and exhort them to trust God."
A prayer meeting was held, with the result that
the carts were sent away and they stayed. God
kept them in perfect peace about it, with a robber
band, a thousand strong, only twelve miles away,
marching on the city. He worked for them — how:?
A terrific downpour of rain, such as had not been
known for years, scattered the robbers and made
the roads impassable.
Our Shanghai Letter
By the Secretary of the China Council, Mr. JAMES STARK, writing
hich
. November 20th, 1919
Arrivals in China. Since the date of
my last letter, October 16th, we have
had the pleasure of welcoming the
following workers back from fur-
lough: Mrs. H. N. Lachlan, Mr. and
Mrs. Westnidge, Dr. and Mrs. Carr,
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Sinton, and the
Rev. C. N. and Mrs. Lack from Eng-
land; Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Batman from
North America; and Mrs. J. E. Wil-
liams, Miss E. A. Kendon and Miss
E. K. Hooper from Australasia. We
have also had the pleasure of wel-
coming the following new workers:
From Australasia: Mr. R. A. Seaman,
Mr. A. E. Beard, the latter traveling
via England, and Misses A. H. Mac-
Lean, E. J. M. Lundie, B. C. Rowe,
E. E. Smith, and M. R. Sharp. From
England: Mr. H. J. .Chalkley, B.A.
From North America: Miss C. E.
Chaffee, B.Sc, Miss R. C. Benson and
Miss G. J. Taylor, B.A.
Expected Recovery. I am pleased
to report improvement in the condi-
tion of Mrs. William Taylor's eyes.
She underwent a surgical operation,
has been entirely satisfactory
result, and there is every pros-
pect of full recovery of sight.
Baptisms. Since I last wrote to you
1,066 baptisms have been reported,
bringing our total for this year, thus
far, up to 4,887, being more than 600
in excess of our record for the same
period of last year. (By letter of
November 27th, the number exceeded
by more than 700 that for the same
period in 1918.)
A New Chapel. Mr. C. H. Stevens
reports the opening of a new chapel
at Fengsiang, Shensi. A three days'
mission was held in connection with
it, when between one and two thous-
and especially printed invitations
were distributed far and wide. There
were well over a thousand attend-
ances at the meetings daily.
A Forward Movement. Mr. A. B.
Lewis, writing from Hotsin, in Shan-
si, says : "In quite a number of villages
there seems to be something of a
forward movement, nothing very
great, but at least encouraging. There
CHINAS MILLIONS
are many promising inquirers, and
best of all perhaps, a spirit of hope-
fulness seems to be abroad. The
Christians have been much encour-
aged by the gift of a new tent, which
has just been received. It is an ans-
to pr;
and is very highly
ppreciated. They are beginning
realize that God waits to be gracious
to those who trust in Him. Over
fifty weeks of voluntary service have
been offered for evangelistic work
this half year. The tents are full,
and the men are often asked out to
dinner by people who are more or
less interested."
Rev. A. R. Saunders reports that he
and Mrs. Saunders recently paid a
four weeks' visit to the districts of
Taichow and Kaoyu in Kiangsu. The
time spent there was the most
encouraging they have had since they
took over the responsibility for the
work in that region in 1903. At
Kaoyu there is a steadily growing
little church of natives of the city and
district. Mr. Saunders writes: "The
first of the present church member-
ship to believe in our Lord Jesus
Christ was the wife, but now widow,
of a well-to-do grain merchant, who
about ten years ago accepted Jesus
Christ as her Savior in one of Mrs.
Saunders' evangelistic meetings. She
was the means of leading another
woman to Christ and this woman led
her husband to believe. This man
at the time of his conversion was a
ne'er-do-well opium smoker and
gambler, who had sunk through these
and other vices from being the owner
of a large silk and satin store to the
gutter, but now he again has a good
business, and is a deacon of the
church. He closes his store each Sun-
day."
Brigands in Szechwan. Miss R. J.
i'emberton. writing from Hsienfuai,
an outstation from Paoning, says :
"The brigands are still quite near to
us, and only to-day soldiers passed
our door to go and fight them. The
country round about here is very
unsettled, and the people have suf-
ered very much; but the Christians
have been wonderfully kept, thank
God. We hope that very soon we
shall be able to go visiting the other
outstations."
Encouraging Conferences. Mr. H.
T. Ford reports that at Taikang in
Honan a most encouraging confer-
ence was held — the best in every way
held since his return from furlough.
The Chinese helpers were very dis-
couraged before the meetings began,
feeling there would be a very poor
attendance owing to the prevalence of
cholera in the district. But the
accommodation was taxed to its
utmost limit, both for men and
women. Some of the men had to
sleep in an inn, and a tent had to be
put up to accommodate the women.
Mr. Ford writes: "Saturday after-
noon is always given up to a meeting
in the interest of our local evangeli-
zation society. This was started
before 1900, and has from that date
supported Li Ki-tseng, an evangelist.
During last Saturday's meeting it was
mentioned that when the church first
started supporting a preacher there
were only twenty-four members, and
that at the same ratio we ought to
be supporting ten men now. One of
the elder members — not considered
very satisfactory — came up to the
platform in a very excited manner
and asked to be allowed to speak. I
was almost afraid he wanted to air
a grievance; but imagine my surprise
when he asked what a twenty-fourth
share of an evangelist's salary would
be, as he wanted to take that share.
He was easily answered, and within
the next hour the secretary was kept
busy taking down promises amount-
ing in all to over 120,000 cash a year,
a dozen or more taking up the sug-
gestion to give a twenty-fourth of
one man's salary. The climax of the
conference was the ordination of Li
Ki-tseng as elder. He has been a
most faithful and acceptable preacher
3rd, 1919
of the Gospel since before 1900. At
the ordination service I asked all who
had heard the Gospel for the first
time from him to stand. Nearly a
hundred rose to intimate that they
had been led to accept the Lord
through his preaching."
Mrs. Whitfield Guinness reports a
conference at Kaifeng, in the same
province. She writes: "We had the
conference here from Friday to Sun-
day, with a good deal to test our
faith, but a very wonderful sense of
God's presence, especially the first
day. Two Chinese friends, Mr. Chan,
a Baptist country leader, with God's
message and God's spirit, and Mr.
Hu from the Y.M.C.A. here, both
greatly helped us. That first day will
always be remembered as a day when
God's hand touched us as the way of
the Cross was revealed to one's spirit.
Christians from all the outstations
were staying on the premises, and six
women and five men were baptized."
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Praise God for interest among the
Tibetans; and pray for Mr. Chi and
his family that they may truly come
to Christ and be followed by many
(page 6).
Praise God that some are brought
to the truth through trouble; and
remember Mrs. In and Mrs. Liu, also
Mrs. Liu's husband (p. 7).
Give thanksgiving for General Feng
and the many professing Christians
in his army, and ask God that this
movement may be sustained and grow
to the great blessing of China (p. 8) ;
also remember Gen. Feng's wife (p. 9).
Pray for the young Shensi farmer
and his wife who may become a
power in their district (p. 10).
Give thanks for success in the work
of our Associate missionaries (p. 11).
Let us join with the "Fellowship of
Prayer for China" in praying for
widespread revival among the
churches (p. 11).
Pray that the Mrs. Carver Mem-
orial School may be a blessing in its
district, remembering the scholars in
this and other schools, especially
three girls mentioned as training to
be teachers (p. 12).
Praise God for the courage of Chin-
ese Christians who put Him to the
test (p. 13).
Praise for the large number of bap-
tisms already reported for 1919 (p.
13, IS).
Praise God for recovery through
operation (p. 13).
Co,
i page /6.
JANUARY, 1920
Editorial Notes
WE beg to thank our friends for their faithful
service in our behalf through the past year. It
is wonderful how God raises up so many per-
sons to support our work by prayer and gift and it is
equally wonderful to watch through the passing
months the devotion which they express in doing
this. We praise our heavenly Father for friendships
of this sort and pray that His richest spiritual bless-
ings may be received by each and all in return.
We have been expecting Mr. Hoste for several
weeks, having heard twice over that he was about
to sail. But each time later advices gave us the infor-
mation that his booking had been cancelled. Our
last report is to the effect that he hopes to leave
England about the middle of January. He expects
to sail for a Canadian port and is likely to proceed
direct to Toronto, stopping a few days en route at
Montreal, with Mr. and Mrs. George W. Grier. We
are thankful to say that he has been greatly helped
of God while in England, but regret to add that his
work has again strained him physically, so that he
is far from well. Will not those who remember our
particular needs in prayer, ask the Father to
strengthen His servant?
There is much coming and going at this sea-
son of the year, in journeying to and from China,
and within China itself. Most of this is of the
usual sort, so far as danger is concerned; but
some of it. especially in China, is attended with
risk of a special kind. Whether the danger is of
the lesser or greater degree, there is need of God's
guarding, and only prayer on our part may make
safety effective and sure. The Mission through its
fifty-four years of existence, has had a remarkable
record of lives preserved in journeying, and we long
that this may be maintained. Will not our friends
continue their watch with Cod in respect to this,
that His protecting arm may remain outstretched
on our behalf.
Through much tribulation in financial affairs, dur-
ing the past year, we have entered the kingdom in
spiritual affairs, for, while the money situation
remains unchanged, the last report of baptisms in
the various stations shows that we are nine hundred
and fifty in advance of the same period in the year
before. Our financial income has kept up, but the
exchange in China has remained adverse, so that the
trial of faith experienced both at home and abroad
has been great indeed. How blessed it is then, to
have one of God's compensations given to us in an
increase of souls saved. Nothing that He could have
done for us could have equalled this in blessedness
and our joy is correspondingly great. The report
referred to above was given in November so that
further statements will considerably add to the
number. The sum total of baptisms, it is already
evident, will exceed that of any previous year.
It is announced that a conference of the Interde-
nominational Bible Schools and Colleges will be held
at the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, on February
.m/atu
Bil
ind ;
th
In
■ titute
llsibl,
as will make it p<
to prepare men fo
lgly convinced that the time
already arrived, when there
development in the curricula
le for such institutions fully
regular ministry, in or out of
denominational circles. The condition of some of
the American and Canadian Seminaries is such, in
respect to evangelical teaching, that churches which
remain sound in the faith are forced to look else
where for their leaders, and it appears as if the
Bible Institutes would have henceforth a real and
vital part to play in the preparation of ministers and
pastors. In view of this, it is not too much to say
that a crisis in affairs is rapidly being reached. Will
not our praying friends remember the matter, ask-
ing Cod to be with those who will gather at the
conference above mentioned.
"There remaineth yet much land to be possessed"
(Joshua 13:1). A glance at the chapter which pre-
cedes the one of which the above verse is a begin-
ning gives one the impression that Israel had taken
all the land in sight and all that God could possibly
have in mind. Moses and his invincible army had
done great things beyond Jordan and Joshua and
his invincible army had duplicated their exploits on
the other side of the river, so that the chapter
referred to contains a summary of kings defeated
and kingdoms taken possession of, the list being a
long one. But God is never at the end of His enter-
prises and He would never have His followers at
the end of theirs. Joshua, as the first part of the
verse tells us, was "old and stricken in years," and
one can easily imagine that the doughty warrior
thought that it was about time to ease up and go
slowly. Cod, however, was not old and stricken in
years and He had no idea whatever of calling a
halt. Moreover, what land had been taken was but a
garden plot beside the reaches of territory He had
in store and was intending to give. There was
nothing for it for Joshua, therefore, but to rise up,
follow on, fight as he had never fougJit before and
win new battles and kingdoms for Jehovah and His
people. And, in spite of the weariness of it, what a
splendid life such an one was and is ! Who would
think of settling down and being idle when God is
ready to use even old and worn-out men? Some
one has said that a man is never old until he ceases
to think and do new things. One who follows God
then can keep it up very long, for his Leader is ever
ready to make all things new. Let us advance,
therefore, into the coming year, however long we
have been serving, full of. energy and courage.
There is need of this, for we have but touched the
border of our inheritance and very much land
remains to be possessed.
CHINAS MILLIONS
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, DECEMBER, 1919
TORONTO
is— i:tis
1319. .
1320
1348. .
24—1349 . .
1350. .
.5.00
5.00
25 Oil
2.00
10.00
5.00
5.50
10.00
3 00
5 00
1.00
1 3(35
1367
1308
Amount
2.250.00
375.00
2.00
5.00
2.00
SPECIAL PURPOSES
25.00
50.00
9.50
100.00
2.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
10.00
15 00
10.00
10.00
5 . 00
404 4S
PHILADELPHIA
MISSIONARY AND
GENERAL PURPOSES
15.00
35.00
15.00
10.05
18 75
5.00
2.00
10.00
5 . 00
. ... 10.50
13.00
.... 3.00
18—1313... . 21
1316 61
1321 2\l
20—1323 . 65.00
30.00
15.00
20.00
10.00
7.00
Amount
$ 50.00
1.00
20.00
5.00
10.00
25.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
11.00
9.50
20.00
10.00
40.00
5.00
3.00
5.00
5.00
2.00
100 00
12.17
20.00
100 00
75.00
10.00
60.00
5.00
Date No.
Amount
Date No.
Amount
18—1379 . .
$ 35.00
31-
-1444
« 50.00
19—1381 . . .
5.00
1445
5.00
1382 . . .
5.00
1446
20 00
1383 . . .
2.60
1447
10.00
1384 . . .
60.00
144S
1385 . . .
100.00
20—1386. .
10.00
$3,738 53
1387. . .
5.00
21—1388. . .
. 1,000.00
1395
1390
1397
1398
1399 . .
1400. .
1420
1422
1423. .
1437
1438
1440
SPECIAL PURPOSES
5.00
5—1325. .
10.00
5.00
1326 . .
7.00
2.00
1327. .
45.00
5.00
1328. . .
5.00
llll
6—1332. .
30 00
10.00
8—1337 . .
7 oo
.117 33
1338
30.1O
15.00
1339
15.00
5 . 00
9—1345.
15.00
.50
1347
50.00
5.00
10—1351 . .
2.00
3 . 50
1352
1.50
10.00
1 353
1.00
15.00
1354
1.00
5.00
1356. .
25.00
17.90
12—1360 Int
240 00
15.00
1363. . .
10.00
101 or,
15—1364 Int
150.00
10.00
1365 Int
255.00
3.00
16—1375. . .
20 00
4.50
17—1378
25 00
10.00
18—1380
7.50
5 00
22—1391
35.00
.50
26—1401 .
30.00
10.00
1402
15.00
50 00
1407 ...
7 50
10.00
27—1408
50.00
■'5.00
1410. .
'0.15
1.00
1412.
15.00
10.00
29—1421.
5.00
5.00
30—1429 .
5.00
1,5 01)
31 — 1439
13.00
5.00
1449
10.00
5.00
1 450
5.00
5 00
1451
15.00
l-'d 00
17.00
$1,019.25
SUMMARY
a Philadelphia—
Fur Missionary and I ',, m-ral Pun" — -
BIRTHS
July 27th, 1919, at Shanghai, to Mr.
and Mrs. W. A. Schlichter, a daugh-
ter, Helena Louise.
September 17th, at Shanghai, to Mr.
and Mrs. C. S. McGhee, a daughter,
Agnes Alitia. (Mrs. McGhee was
Miss Robina Thompson).
October 12th, at Tsinchow, Kansu,
to Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Rist, a son,
Russell Helmer.
MARRIAGES
August 7th, 1919, at Chefoo, Rev. D.
W. Crofts to Miss C. M. Harlow.
November 10th, 1919, at Titao,
Kansu, Mr. Geo. K. Harris to Miss F.
Winifred Steven, daughter of Rev.
and Mrs. F. A. Steven of the C.I.M.
DEPARTURES
November 6th, 1919, from Victoria,
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hick for
China.
November 26th, from Vancouver,
Mr. and Mrs. M. Graham Anderson,
and Miss E. J. Churcher, returning to
China.
November 27th, from Vancouver,
Rev. and Mrs. Chas. Fairclough with
their son Christopher, and Mr. and
Mrs. J. R. Sinton and three children,
for China.
in Toronto —
For Missionary and General Purposes s
For Special Purposes
Previously acknowledged. 1919
November 30th,
and Mrs. C. H. Ji
ters, Katie and
land.
December 3rd,
Esther B. Bushy
Barney, and from
nie B. Powell, foi
December 23rd,
Mr. and Mrs. T.
H. A. Gough, Mi
Miss N. Fugl, foi
December 25th,
Mrs. Sidney Carr
dren, returning,
Wall
to Chir
from Montreal, Mr.
jdd and two daugh-
Maybeth, for Eng-
from Seattle, Miss
and Miss Hazel E.
Victoria, Miss Jen-
China,
from St. John, N.B.,
E. Robinson, Miss
ss .E. Wright, and
England.
from Vancouver,
and her two chil-
with Miss Mabel
ARRIVALS
October 8th, at San Francisco, Rev.
and Mrs. G. H. Seville with their
children, Janet, Elsa and Edith, from
China.
November 18th. at Montreal, Mr.
and Mrs. M. Graham Anderson,
and Miss E. T. Churcher, from Eng-
land.
December 10th, at Vancouver, Mr.
and Mrs. T. E. Robinson, Miss H. A.
Gough, Miss E. Wright and Miss N.
Fugl, en route to England, with Nora
Evans (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.
E. Evans) going to the United States.
December 18th, at St. John, N.B.,
Mrs. Sidney Carr and her two chil-
dren with Miss Wallis, a new worker,
en route to China.
PRAYER CALLS— PRAISE ECHOES— contd.
Give thanks for encouraging meet-
ings and conferences (p. 14).
Please pray for travelers to, from
and within China, especially remem-
bering our General Director, Mr.
Hoste (p. 15).
Remember in prayer the conference
of interdenominational Bible schools
and colleges (p. 15).
Ask the Lord for blessing upon the
vear 1920 in the work of the China
Inland Mission (p. 15).
VOL. XXVIII. No. 2 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.50 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
MISSION OFFICES
GERM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
authorized July 18. 1918
TORONTO
FEBRUARY, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
EBENEZER
JBIOVAH-JIREH
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the lite REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Acting Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N J.
Rev. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
Elias Rogers, Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. J. McP. Scott, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, Loadon, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (I) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitation of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, ISIS, consisted of 1,057 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers,
some of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,600 stations and
outstatlons have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries jr native
laborers. There were 6,079 baptized in 1918.
There are now about 45,000 communicants.
Since 1865, over 70,500 converts have been
baptized.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane. Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane, Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications for service
in China should be made to " The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either of the
NOTE.— Postage to all C.l.M. stations in China (including Shanghai, Chefoo. etc.) is
now five cents per ounce from Canada. The rates from the United States remain as they were.
In the case of a donation being intended as a conttibution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad.
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
transmission ' ' and for the private use of that individual.
and bequeath. I FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise unto the
lote) the sum of China Inland Mission (see note), all that certain (hen
dollan. insert description of property ) with the appurtenances
' for the ui '
to be expended for the appro-
\ priate objects of said Mission ;
and I direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
sion shall be a sufficient dis-
charge for my executors in the
NOTE- In case the will is made out ••
the United States, the following words
Philade > lphia! n pennsylvani'a D,? Vcale
the will is made out in Canada, the fol-
lowing words need to be inserted : "hay-
ing offices at Toronto, Ontario."
fit and behalf of said Misssoa
forever; and direct that the re-
lease of the Home Director of
said Mission shaU be a su&cieai
discharge to my executors in
the premises.
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follow.:
Germantown, Pa.
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave . Weekly, Wednesday 8.00 p.m.
C.l.M. Home, 235 School Lane Weekly, Friday 8.00 p.m
Albany. N.Y.
Bible School, 107 Columbia St.... Monthly, 1st Thursday 8. SO a.m.
Buffalo. N.Y., 562 East Utica St Monthly, 3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Lockport, N.Y., 189 East Ave. Monthly, last Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Ventnor. N.J (Atlantic City).
4 So. Sacra
o Ave..
Cleveland. Ohio, 4223 Cedai
Detroit, Mich.
114 Stanford Ave.
Grand Rapids, Mich.,
Res. Mr. E. Wonnink, .33
Pontiac, Mich.
Monthly, 1st Thursday fe.00 p.m.
Monthly, 1st Friday 7.45 p.m
Monthly, 1st Friday 7.S0 p.m.
6 Mt. CI.
Laurium. Mi
First Baptist Church Monthly, 2nd Thursday 7.S0 p.
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. G. H. D. Hanson. 1206 Harrison St... Weekly, Tuesday 8.00 p.
Tabe a rnacTe Bap" Ch., 23rd Ave. S. and 8th St. .Monthly, Thursday after 1st Sunday.
Bethel, Minn.
The Baptist Church Monthly. Wednesday after 1st Sunday.
St. Louis, Mo., 4839 Delmar Boulevard
Kansas City. Kan.
First Presbyterian Church
Los Angeles, Cal.
Monthly, 2nd & 4th Monday, 8.00 p. a
urch Monthly, last Tuesday 8.00 p.m
:n, 949 No. Normandie Ave. . . Monthly, 2nd Monday 7.46 p.m
, 251S Dana St Monthly, 1st Thursday 8.00 p.m
Res., Mrs. Rakestra
Seattle, Wash.
Res. of Mr. D. G. Whipple. 1816 38th Ave. N. .. .Monthly, 2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.rr
Bellingham Wash.
Y.W.C;A Hi-Monthly, i
Toronto, Ont.
;ss Art
ng 2nd Monday Feb. . . ..8.00 p.n
.Weekly, Friday 8.00 p.n
..Monthly, 4th Friday 3. SO p.n
. . Monthly, 1st Wednesday .
Hamilton.
Caroline si. missiui
Re^'Mr'n.' McLean, 5 West Ave...... ..Monthly, 3rd Friday 8 00 p.m.
Ottawa, Ont., Y. W.C.A Monthly, 2nd Friday. 8.00 p.m.
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. Geo. E. Pegg Monthly, 1st Tuesday
Montreal. Que., 350 MacKay St... Monthly, 1st Monday 4 00 p.m
Halifax, N.S., at various h mes Monthly, 2nd Monday S.li p.sn.
Winnipeg, Man., 557 Wellington Cres Monthly, 1st Friday 3.00 p.m.
Calgary. Alta.,
Vanco.
, Mr.
r, BC.
;. 1328 11th A
t 1017 Tenth Ave. E. Spee : all
Bible Training School, 356 Broadway W. . 2nd & 4
West Vancouver
Y. W.C.A. , Dunsmuir St
Victoria, B.C., _.,...• ,
Book and Bible Room. Fairfield Bldg.,
W.. Monthly, 1st Monday 8.00p.m.
irranged meetings.
Fridays 3.00 p.m.
CHINA'S MILLIONS
TORONTO, FEBRUARY, 1920
Have We Convictions?
By JOHN SOUTHEY
READING recently the biography of a saintly
and- gifted man, the following extract from
one of his letters deeply impressed me: "It
is as if people were so afraid of intolerance that they
are beginning to have no convictions at all."
This was written in 1911, and it is even more true
to-day than then. The precious chapter on that
greatest of gifts, love, is made to cover a multitude
of sins in a way the Apostle never intended, so that
it serves to hide things that would have called forth
his righteous indignation. World conformity,
carnal policy, a perverted Gospel, may all be
excused, the only thing for which no excuse can be
found being outspoken faithfulness to the truth of
God. But if silence in the face of these things is
love, then neither the Lord Himself, nor Paul, nor
John, had any of it, for they not only proclaimed the
truth but sternly rebuked error and those who held
and taught it.
Possibly some earnest men have forgotten that
opposers are to be instructed in the spirit of meek-
ness, but, still, destructive heresies are not to be
overturned by honeyed words, nor are false prophets
to be silenced by polite tributes to their earnestness
and ability. If a Gospel is preached that ignores
the need of regeneration, that sees in the cross of
Christ nothing more than an example of sacrifice,
and that makes salvation a mere matter of personal
effort with perhaps some little help from God, it is
what the Holy Spirit by the mouth of Paul called
"another Gospel," concerning which he said, "But
though we or an angel from heaven, should preach
to you any Gospel other than that which we
preached to you, let him be anathema !" Was this
uncharitable?
Our Lord in dealing with the Jews of His day
used an oft-forgotten expression: "The stone which
the builders rejected, the same was made the head
of the corner. Every one that falleth on that stone
shall be broken to pieces ; but on whomsoever it
shall fall, it will scatter him as* dust." Israel, as a
nation, fell on that stone. "They stumbled at the
stone of stumbling; even as it is written, Behold I
lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of
offence." Generations of disobedience had resulted
in judicial blindness. Having eyes to see they saw
not, and the things that belonged to their peace were
hidden from their eyes. So, though the Lord wept
with pity over Jerusalem, and on the cross prayed.
"Father forgive them ; for the)- know not what they
do," the power of the holy people must be broken,
and that breaking has been going on for centuries,
and has still to be completed (Daniel 12:7).
His prayer for them on the cross will yet be fully
answered, for God has not cast them away, and they
are still His earthly people. But how few pray
for the peace of Jerusalem, and how few have any
tears for the sorrows of the "Scattered Nation!"
Two or three lines in the cables suffice to tell of
awful pogroms, for what matters the massacre of a
few thousand Jews?
Peace may be partly restored to the Gentile
nations, but the Jews are still homeless even though
in two or three nations they are fairly treated. In
the war their young men were forced into the firing
lines, while in Eastern Europe their old men, women
and children have been outraged, murdered, robbed.
They have been denied shelter, and left to starve in
thousands. Both sides, in turn, pillaged and robbed
them — those guilty of such deeds being professedly
Christian nations. Truly the larger part of Chris-
tendom is only baptized heathendom.
Is God blind or unrighteous that He suffers this ?
Nay, it is but the answer to their fathers' words :
"His blood be upon us and upon our children." But
they are not left without great and precious
promises. He will yet give repentance to Israel.
and He who scattered, will gather them, and again
rejoice over them to plant and build up.
These are they who fell on the stone, but who are
they on whom the stone is to fall? For they will
not merely be broken, but scattered as dust. Must
we not see here a reference to Nebuchadnezzar's
image, for though proud men tell us that the book
of Daniel should be expunged from the sacred canon,
our Lord believed in its historicity and inspiration.
In Daniel 2:35 we read: "Then was the iron, the
clay, the brass, the silver, the gold, broken in pieces
together — and the wind carried them away, so that
no place was found for them." The stone is to fall
upon the whole system of Gentile rule with its
culture, its religion, its civilization, its art, and
scatter it as dust, and whether men will hear or
whether they will forbear, the world is even now
ripening for long-delayed judgment.
After nearly two millenniums of professed
Christianity, what are the moral and spiritual con-
ditions of Christendom to-day. The sound of the
20
CHINA'S MILLIONS
guns had hardl) ceased before the nations turned
back again to their mad folly, their headlong pur-
suit of wealth and pleasure, while organized vice and
lust are rampant and the marriage tie is only to
bind at mutual pleasure. To speak of tins a- the
convalescent stage after war is grotesque. Tha-
w-odd is not convalescing, but so far from the war
having purified, it has only brought into fiercer
activity the deeply seated disease of sin.
If it is said that this is the day of opportunity to
the church, we ask. To do what? To testify to the
Gospel of the grace of God? To warn men that the
day of grace has been almost run out, and that the
Lord is coming to take vengeance on them who obey
not the Gospel? Yes, surely.
But is this what is meant by the day of oppor-
tunity? Or, is it that the church is to plunge more
deeply into politics, social reforms, and all sorts of
schemes for world improvement?
To what extent did the Lord Himself, or the
church of apostolic days, improve the world? If
they even attempted it. there is no record of it in the
New Testament. They preached the Gospel, and
by the power of God men and women were added to
the Lord ; but the world as such was left as they
found it — lying in the wicked one.
Are the churches of to-day stronger than those
of apostolic days? Save in the matter of buildings,
social position, wealth, organization, what have the
churches to-day that they had not? Is there more
love, more zeal, more prayer, more faith, more
sacrifice? Are the Scriptures of truth more loved
and honored than they were then?
As a matter of fact, the sword of the Spirit,
which is the Word of God. has been largely laid
aside or has had its edge so blunted on the grind-
stone of German rationalism that it has lost its
power of piercing to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit and of discerning the thought- an 1
intents of the heart.
In a great prophetic passage, written shoftly
before his death. St. Paul said: "Preach tin- Word
. . . for the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust-
shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears." In view of this what does the oft-repeated
saying mean: "We cannot expect men to-day to
believe and accept the old. effete and worn-out
formulas; we must give men what they will accept.
and that will attract them"? Alas for the church
what does this. It may be crowded to the doors, but
over them. Ichabod should be written, for the glory
is departed.
Will God who spared not the natural branches,
spare us? If after much long-suffering He sent
judicial blindness on Israel, wih He not also send it
on Christendom? If not, what is the meaning of
the growth of spiritualism. Christian Science, and
other doctrines of demons? These things are slay-
ing their thousands and paving the way for the
Antichrist.
Has Israel been broken on that stone, and shall
it not fall upon the Gentile powers with their cor-
rupted Christianity and scatter them as dust? This
does not mean the end of the world but the end of
the age — a widely different thing.
Let us not shun to declare the whole counsel of God.
Men may scoff, deride, and turn away, but do
we seek to please men? If we yet please men, we
shall not be the servants of Christ.
Communicating with the Dead
By Miss A. HARRISON, Sisiang, Shensi
ONE or two home papers that came yesterday
have quite serious articles in them about the
possibility of communicating with the dead.
I wish I could sound a note of warning to the foolish
people who are tempted to dabble in such matters.
In China some of us have learned a great deal about
this sort of thing, and we know for fact that it is
not their dead loved ones they get into communica-
tion with, but demons who personate them.
If Christians who know the power of the cross
of Christ, would go and challenge the mediums, or".
rather the powers speaking through the mediums,
commanding them in the name of the Lord to
declare themselves, they would be obliged to tell
the truth. Such is our experience here. So
challenged, they have to confess, though much
against their will, that they are demons. It is, of
course, very easy for demons to personate the dead,
or to tell facts about them, for have they not
watched them in their lifetime, and do they not
know even their secrets?
Had I time, I could tell you many interesting
things. We have recently been helping a young
woman, who for years has been tormented by
demons, to fight through to freedom. We thought
at first it was only one in possession, but when it
began speaking through her. attempting to deceive
us into thinking it was the young woman herse!:'
speaking, we demanded of it an answer to the ques-
tion, "Who are you ?"
It tried evasion, but held to it. replied, "I am — 1
am — " several times and then changed it to "\\ e an
— We are — " and finally. "We are demons."
Asked, "How many?" evasion was again tried.
but the Lord has given to His servants authority
over these imps of wickedness, so they have to obey,
and we got the answer, "Five."
The woman is now better. The Word of the
Cross is very effectual in dealing with them, every
repetition of a text acting like a sword-thrust ; but
the texts must be used by one who knows experi-
mentally the victory of Christ on Calvary. Would
that the people that think they are getting into
communication with their lost ones could know the
truth! Surely most would shrink in horror from
having dealings with demons.
FEBRUARY, 1920
A Wenchow Wednesday
By Mr. EDWARD HUNT. Wenchow, Chekiang
LAST Wednesday was a varied kind of day, and a
brief note of the events may help home friends
to see a little of our work here and share it
with us.
Our own brief family worship and Chinese pray-
ers with the inmates of our big compound who are
unattached to school or family, were over, when, to
my surprise, I saw waiting for me two of the lead-
ers of the "Independents" — not good "Congrega-
tionalists," alas, but separists who repudiate any
connection with the foreigner. Last Sunday, at
one of our largest outstations, several "independ-
ents'" who were former China Inland Mission
members, made a great row, demanding some of
our church furniture as having been given or bought
by them before they left us. Evidently these two
leaders thought things had gone too far. One of
them was for many years a trusted leader in one
of the city churches and the other a most useful
preacher in the country. But ambitious wives and
the specious cry, "China for the Chinese," had caused
their separation from us.
Sitting' in my study, over cups (bright red, with
covers) of tea (green and weak and milkless), we
went into the matter. At once they admitted we
were right, and repudiated the violence of their
misguided adherents. In the course of conversa-
tion the opportunity came to express surprise that
our former preacher should go round persuading
our members and workers to leave us and become
"independent" ; this he feebly denied, but his col-
league tacitly admitted and owned it as wrong. We
had the chance to say that, while heartily desiring
reunion, it must not mean the recognition of the
mam- worldly and unspiritual workers and members
now with them, who (as was virtually admitted)
practically have things their own way.
Never since the beginning of the separation, some
seven years ago, have we had such a rapprochement
and pleasant friendly putting of both sides, and we
pray it may lead in the end to the reuniting with us
of at least the true Christians now separated.
It was not long after this interview was over that
the new magistrate of the district arrived, for a
formal call. It was not in the old style, accom-
panied by banging gongs, turbaned (and often
umbrellaed ) soldiers and generally a crowd of
ragged urchins wearing ancient tall hats like the
traditional witches, with suchlike mixture of dirt
and tawdry finery, and the great man, in georgeous
silk robe with foot-square embroidered badge on
breast and back, and big red-tasselled hat, riding in
a huge four-bearer sedan-chair. Instead of this, he
came in quiet ordinary Chinese dress with an escort
of four or six khaki-uniformed men and no "swank"
at all.
He proved to be a Honan man of forty or so, very
affable and sensible, and though my mandarin
Chinese is twenty years too rusty for easy conver- •
sation, we had a pleasant half-hour with him —
again over cups of tea and sweetmeats.
How much we need to pray for all Chinese
officials in these changeful, unsettled days. Much
is outwardly changed and often for the better— for
instance, the prison I visited this morning to tell of
the love of God in Christ to the convicted men there,
so clean and decent to what Chinese prisons were
a few years back, and with many of the prisoners
earning pocket-money by handicrafts. Yet oppres-
sion and cruelty seem as rife as ever, and I question
if there is any more justice or security for life and
property under the Republic than under the Empire.
We had been back from furlough only two weeks,
and those had been so occupied with preachers'
meetings and many other engagements, that the
rest of that Wednesday morning was spent in
arranging some beautiful wooden plaques with
pictures in colored soapstone, given to us last year
by the Juian churches. Then we had our midday
prayer meeting for the China Inland Mission work-
ers in the west, and then dinner and a rest.
A large part of the afternoon was given to a
11
CHINA'S MILLIONS
heart-to-heart talk with one of our oldest and most
valued workers who has been under clouds of late.
Involved in most sad misunderstandings and aging
rapidly, he has one son very ill — the son for whom
he incurred heavy debts and to whose earnings he
was looking to discharge them — and both sons
perfectly horrid in their reproachings and rudeness
to him. It was pitiful ! Yet I believe our tender
Father is dealing with him and he is beginning to
respond to the chastening love and to recognize the
need of the discipline ; but he greatly needs our
prayers for himself and his family.
It is so painful to see one who has been so much
used of God in such a sad state, and should remind
us how much all prominent Christian workers are
the special objects of enemy attacks and need our
constant faithful prayer.
That Wednesday closed with our weekly "station
prayer meeting," when all our missionaries here
met for telling one to another our gains and losses,
hindrances and successes, and then together making
our requests known to God. We prayed specially
for the sad old worker referred to above, for our
two absent missionaries and the two so busy in the
south, for revival in all the churches and especially
here in the great city, and for revival in the dear
home lands as the one effective way of stemming
the torrent of sin, selfishness and lawlessness that
is sweeping through the earth.
"Rest in Jehovah" was the message we read from
the Word, and with that safe refuge and strength
we can wait and w r atch and work for Him and with.
Him until the Day break.
Summer Preparation for Winter Work
By Mrs. F. C. H. DREYER, Hungtung, Shansi
DURING the summer we spent some weeks in
Yutaoho, three and one-half stages north of
here. Yutaoho is a valley about ten miles
long, at the head of which there is a fountain which
sends forth a copious stream of clear, cool water.
Eighty or ninety old-fashioned flourmills derive
their power from this stream. Many of these mills
close down during the summer months, consequent-
ly missionaries are able to secure them for
residence. The running water, the green trees, the
nearby mountains, and the fellowship with others,
all help to make Yutaoho restful and refreshing to
the tired worker.
We also took a trip to the Mien mountains.
Annually, during April, thousands make a pilgrim-
age to these mountains to worship at various
Buddhist temples built in picturesque situations on
the cliffs, hundreds of feet above the valley. The
view to be had from some of these temples is
superb. The chief monastery is almost entirely
overshadowed by a huge overhanging rock. The
money and labor represented by these temples is
enormous.
On our way home we spent a few days at the
Hoh mountains, one day's journey from our city.
For wildness and natural beauty they surpass any-
thing we have seen in Shansi. We made our
headquarters in an old monastery which, during its
period of prosperity, could accommodate a thousand
pilgrims. It was interesting to see the huge
cauldrons, steamers, etc., used for preparing food
for these pilgrims. Fifty years ago, forty-odd
priests were in residence there, but now there is
only one, and he an old opium wreck. Not far from
the monastery there is a large temple which has
been honored by repeatedly having special military
representatives of the emperors of three differnt
dynasties worship there, i.e.. from A.I). 1200, down.
We did enjoy the view of the mountains as we
sat in the temple court, under the huge pines
measuring more than a yard in diameter. Dr.
Hoyte, Mr. Canfield, and Mr. Dreyer climbed to the
highest peak of this range. After a climb of a little
over three miles they reached a point from which
they could obtain a magnificent view r of the whole
valley — from the mountains south of Pingyangfu
to those north of Hwochow — a distance of about
seventy-five miles. In one of his addresses at the
provincial conference later, Mr. Dreyer used this
as an effective illustration, pointing out how from
that mountain top the things which loomed so large
in the city dwindled into comparative insignificance.
How we need to correct our perspective from time
to time, lest those things which are of minor
importance assume too large a place in our lives !
Our provincial conference was shifted from
August 30th to September 12th, in the hope that we
might have a visit from Dr. R. A. Torrey. How-
ever, in this we were disappointed, for Dr. Torrey
could not well spare the twenty or more days
necessary for traveling here and back. We had a
missionary conference lasting five days, followed
by a church conference, also lasting live days. It
was a time of spiritual refreshment to us all. We
felt that the Lord drew very near.
Some important questions we're considered ( set
pages 186 and 187 in December "China's Millions),
including the question of the support of Chinese
workers. Although the money received by the
Mission from the home lands has increased each
year during the past four years, the money realized
in China has decreased each year owing to the
adverse exchange. Even though the money from
home increased by about one-third in the four year-.,
the value realized here last year was considerably
less than that of four years ago. In other words,
four years ago $5 gold brought us here about $11
Mex.' Now it brings barely $5 Mex. On the other
hand, the cost of living has risen at such a rate that
we have had repeatedly to raise the wages of our
Chinese workers.
In view of this, Mr. Hoste sent a letter to the
Chinese churches explaining the situation and point-
ing out that it was evidently the Lord's will that
FEBBUARY, 1920
they should take a larger share ii
management of their workers.
the situation was faced and it was
ize each group of churches and pi:
all funds for the support of workers, whether
tributed through the Mission or by the Chi
churches, in the hands of a joint committe
missionaries and representatives of the Chi
churches, on the understanding
of Mission money to Chinese
gradually decreased. All spec
port of individual workers wi
this way the Chinese churches will be made t<
that the work is theirs, and be given an incre
opportunity of exercising their gifts of admin
tion, and gradually he led to true independenci
this scheme is heartily taken up by the chu
and succeeds, it will mark a new era in our wc
The phonetic script was also considered,
government is pushing this very much,
governor of Shansi has . ordered 2,500 000 i
primers for the people of this province alone,
being introduced into tr
rt and
■re nee
>rgan-
>rtion
to be
■ sup-
23
on each station with texts, etc., written in script;
(5) that a united effort be made to secure that
every church member under forty learns to read.
and owns at least a portion of the Bible in script:
(6) that script literature be stocked and sold in each
station and outstation ; (7) that voluntary colpor-
teurs proficient in script be appealed for to visit
villages during the winter months with a view to
selling script literature; (8) that night schools be
established in cities and villages. This script cer-
tainly gives the missionary an unprecedented
opportunity for spreading the knowledge of tin-
true God. May we on the field and our fellow
workers in the homelands rise to the occasion.
Compulsory education is being pushed throughout
the province. The demand for teachers is verv
great. Many of our teachers have been offered
salaries several times larger than they are receiv-
ing. The government is also beginning to press for
the registration of mission schools. This question
received our prolonged consideration, as it was
feared it might lead to a serious limitation of our
liberty in teaching Christian truths and thus frus-
trate our primary aim in opening the schools. We
feel loath to give up our Mission schools, because
by so doing the children of our Christians would
probably be largely lost to the church. In some
eases at least, pressure would be brought to make
them worship Confucius. We heard from two of
our girls who are now teaching in a government
school, that all the children in their school are
expected to worship Confucius and that they, the
teachers, are not even allowed to .sing a hymn.
They have also been asked to worship Confucius
but have refused. They stated that if forced to do
so they would leave at once. The government
having plenty of money, are better able than we are
to finance and equip their schools. A number of
the graduates of our provincial high school have
been appointed by the government as District
School Inspectors. Three others are to be sent,
also by the government, to foreign countries to
continue their studies.
On our return from the conference, I met in
Chaocheng, two of our Christian women wearing
white badges, four inches wide and a foot and a half
long. The characters written on the badge, which
was stamped with the district .magistrate's seal,
stated that they were inspectors for the Natural
Foot Society. The official wanted inspectors to
visit each home, to warn the women who still have
small feet, that
and is being taught t
people. Rumor says
sory for all men unc
thirty. At our conf
urge : (1 ) that it be
and station classes ;
script be compulson
that some men and
with a view to becon
in that capacity; (4) that
the official
it is to be
all our institute
three warnings, they would
fined if they did not unbind their feet. He
.nted reliable inspectors, and therefore asked the
inese pastor to recommend Christian women for
diools are in full
swi
l li-
again.
In the
Bi
: we have forty
-eig
lt
in att
endance
n(
ry block has been
foil.
put
"1
A n
> durin
ce two-j
g the su
in
id. for plasteru
relieve the conge
id
finishi
i our
lg. Tin
Jible Ins
s \
tit
g te
Visiting Farmer Mohammedans
By Mr. GEORGE K. HARRIS, Siningfu, Kansu
HAVING opportunit} of visiting the Moslem
villages north of Sining, centering- in a place
called Mobayshen, we started with what we
considered a fairly large supply of Scripture por-
tions in Arabic and Chinese. Before reaching that
city, two days were spent at Tarwan, a market
centre. There was 110 inn, but the Lord provided.
A kind Moslem invited US to his home.
We had exceptionally good sales, also much
opportunity for preaching. Large Arabic mottoes
helped to attract and hold attention. As there is
evidently a ban on our gospels, every copy sold is a
step toward breaking this up. Several mullahs
came about and purchased Arabic portions, such as
"The Excellent Names of God."
On our return to our host's home. I found the
native ahong there, awaiting me. Later the
mullahs also came in.
On invitation to visit the Mosque. I went just
before the midday prayer or Pishai. Many school-
boys were about. Two had Arabic gospels, pur-
chased the preceding day. When studying, the boys
are seated on crude wooden benches about large
square tables. Instead of slates smooth wooden
panels with handles are used. The teacher writes
on these panels with mud-colored ink certain Arabic
sentences. These the boys recopy and memorize
by rote. They were surprised at my being able to
read them several sentences from a Koran com-
mentary. This book, bound in boards, was lying
on one of the tables.
Shortly, the native ahong came in. We had a
good conversation, after which I gave him a copy
of the book, "Roots and Branches." Before leaving
the village, for our host's kindness in entertaining
us, we gave him a gospel and an Arabic Genesis.
The next five days found us in the Mobayshen
suburb. The villages which we had time to visit
from here, bad only once, if ever, seen a foreigner,
and never a .non-Moslem who could explain the
Gospel in their Arabic terms. Twice I was taken
for a. Chanto or Russian from Turkistan.
Questions on many subjects were asked, each
giving opportunity to explain some truth. Except
those who had occasionally visited our Gospel Hall
in Sining - , these farmers knew practically nothing
of the Gospel. The size and contents of our Bible
was a surprise. Many false ideas regarding the
Gospel are abroad, so a visit to their midst and a
personal invitation will result in many visiting us
in Sining.
The mosques visited were all of the old. semi-
Chinese style ; a pagoda-like minaret, a large inner
courtyard, and the mosque proper placed relative
to Mecca.
These farmer Moslems are Persian and Turkish
in feature and custom, and though many centuries
removed from their ancestral homes, are un-
Chinese in every way. They say their home was
Ru Mu, by which they mean some part of Asiatic
Turkey. What is the origin of this term I have
been unable to learn.
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Sunday morning two open-air preaching services
were held in the Mobayshen suburb. The Arabic
mottoes and pictures of the deeds and words of the
Messiah, again proved most useful. By use of their
own phraseology, meanings were conveyed much
more quickly than with Chinese terms. The two
verses which were most effective were: "Hear, O
Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord!" used by
Jesus in referring to Moses' words, and "Who can
forgive sins but God only?" In both meetings
several hundred, mostly Moslems, listened atten-
tively.
Let me mention just a few personal interviews in
the inn for it is such conversations that count for
most.
(1) The innkeeper's son. a mullah, to whom an
Arabic gospel was given over a year ago, said he
still prizes the book, and he came in several times.
lie seemed a little more interested than before. I
gave him another book which he has promised to
study.
(2) A village ahong. one of my Sunday morning-
audience, came in on the same afternoon. We had
an hour's pleasant discussion. He was very ignor-
ant of history, not being able to compute the Hejira
year and he thought Mohammed came 300 years
after Jesus' time.
(3) Seven Moslems came in in a group one even-
ing. Their spirit was one of inquiry, not of
argumentation.
(4) A young man on the street purchased an
Arabic gospel. Later, being warned that his ahong
would not approve of it. he came to me to inquire
more about our gospels and rind out why there is
objection to them. This gave an opportunity. The
next day he also purchased a Chinese gospel, show-
ing that he disregarded their taunts.
(5) A Moslem from a village several miles north
of that city came in twice. He is a prominent man
in the village, which has some three hundred fami-
lies. He listened very attentively to parts of John's
Gospel about Jesus as the Word of God. He invited
me to stop at his home when I could come, and
promised to invite the ahong and prominent
Moslems. Here is a further opportunity.
(6) A man from a village passed on the way to
Tarwan, heard the message on Sunday and came in
early Monday morning. He extended a similar
invitation.
So far. in most of these villages the Gospel has
been utterly ignored ; thus, if a spirit of inquiry
regarding it has been started, so much is gained.
One could spend a month in the Mobayshen dis-
trict and then have some villages untouched. Only
occasionally can one make this trip as the work
in Sining city and suburb requires most of one's
time. And this is only one Moslem district adjacent
to Sining.
If. friend, you are led to pray for this work,
kindly remember the people mentioned above and
the literature distributed. Pray for the one bap-
tized Moslem in Sining, who has many battles, and
pray that more Moslems may come out openly.
Pray for an ex-ahong who has promised to teach me
Arabic and Persian.
FEBRUARY. 1920
pi, fcy My. Mfvd Jr„„,
'The Daily Round, the Common Task"
By Miss SOPHIE JORGENSEN, Kuwo, Shansi
OPENIXC. SCHOOL
IT was October 7th. The girls' school was to
the next day. In the boys' school, the
teacher. Mr. Kueh, was alone looking
forty-odd boys, the second teacher, Mr. Fen, hr
gone to his home to rejoice with his family bee
a son had just been horn. Then Mr. Kueh's fs
sent word that he must come home at once, a
infant son was very ill. Mr. Kueh hired a do)
and unable to wait for Mr. Fen's delayed retur
out at eight in the evening for his home tweb
thirteen miles away, leaving the cook in char.;
the boys. Our evangelist was absent at the
We had no one who could teach at all.
But Mr. Fen arrived next morning, and Mr.
returned in the afternoon. So that anxiety
over. However, the girls' school teachers di<
arrive in time as there were many difficultii
overcome before they could leave their home-,,
of them came a day late, and a third three
late, as she had not been able to get a cart b<
And when they did arrive, one of them brouj
sick baby which had to be put into the isol
room at once to stay there for three weeks.
Among the scholars were some who had not
to school before, and several of them needed a
hygienic attention. One of them had not hac
hair combed for over a month. Flad her home
near here we would have sent her to her mi
but she had come forty miles, arriving with t\
others at half-past nine at night, fourteen p
having all been squeezed into one Chinese cart
their clothes, bedding, etc., jolting along over d
stony Chinese roads for fourteen hours — who
ever think of sending the poor child home aga
While we have our morning prayers in En
together, we put outside on a windowsill a s<
piece of cardboard upon which is written ii
characters "li-pai," which means "worship."
is to prevent our being called away half a c
times or more during that brief half-hour jus
little troop of
ha\
;ithe
docto
tin
ldom
dav but
:;--. :
rnest.
He
gen
a\ mi
i ning ;
nd s
ts in
f t be-
chapel
suit;
in^ 1
er vice
He
;arns
his
comes to ask for a simple remedy.
;is a wonderful reputation for having
ledicine the life of a young woman
lily in the city. The girl had swal-
ng in order to commit suicide. As
, Miss Johnson gave her no medicine.
> make her eat plenty of bread.
tv-two years of age, became blind
•s ago. He is now a Christian and
■rally comes very early Sun-
the men's courtyard in front
ymns until the time for the
food by pulling the bellows
tinker, who is a Christian but a bit queer in
■ ways. This man had the idea that a blind man
not sin as much as a man who has sight, and
lis reason objected to the boy going to Ping-
to see the doctor. lie even threatened not to
>v the boy on his return, no matter whether he
;ured or not.
• prayed to Cod and spoke "pleasant words"
ie Chinese express it) to the tinker, till at last
it his consent, and the boy was taken up to the
tal. Nothing could be done for him, however.
tig feared that this would be the case, I had
;ly bought a Braille primer, and had for some
been praying that it might be possible to teach
(i read The tinker being such a queer fellow
id not dare to give the '
Chi
ch th
• every Sunda;
might think c
anything done in China.
ould be i
ie time
, but
want
26
CHINAS MILLIONS
When I next asked how they were getting oil, the
answer was that it was too difficult, and besides, the
tinker didn't want the boy to learn. So again we
prayed and tried to think what might be done.
We decided it would be better to get them to
come to our place, so we consulted with the school
teacher, who promised that one of the big boys
should come and help him.
Now, the question was how to get the book back.
1 asked the caretaker in the men's guest room. No,
it had not been left there ; he was sure Mr. Liu, who
was supposed to be teaching the boy, had taken it
home. Later on I found Mr. Liu. No, he was sure
the tinker had got hold of it. I happened to meet
the tinker a little later, so I said some "pleasant
words" to him and then bravely inquired about the
Braille primer. No, he hadn't got the book.
At last it was found in a native hospital in the
city ! The following Sunday afternoon a schoolboy
was sent off to the tinker's home to fetch the blind
boy. I talked to him and the schoolboy, Fah-lin,
who was to be his teacher, trying to rouse their
enthusiasm. We had a few words of prayer, asking
the Lord to enable him to learn to read, and then
the teaching began, the boy helping him to form the
symbols on the table with Chinese cash, while I
explained to him how to do it. He learned very
quickly and I exhorted him to be sure and come
again next Sunday.
To my surprise, the tinker himself brought him
next Sunday. I asked the boy how he was getting
on. "Oh, very well." The tinker had helped him at
home. I told them how pleased I was and then pro-
ceeded to examine the boy in the first line, which
he had been taught the week before. He knew it
perfectly, and when I would explain to him about
the following one, he interrupted me, saying, "Oh, 1
know that too!" He then eagerly read four lines
to me perfectly.
We are now getting on finely, the tinker and the
schoolboy both being equally anxious to teach, and
the boy himself exceptionally quick to learn. We
thank God for helping us through another of our
difficulties.
FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
I have been visiting a good deal in the city lately.
Old Mrs. Lien and I leave our compound armed with
a little bag full of tracts. Having visited the people
living in the nearest streets the day before, we pass
them by this time and walk towards the south, past
our own big cart-gate and the little temple with the
ugly idols just beyond, then the big temple bell, till
a little further on we cross a piece of waste ground,
where ashes are being dumped. Right on the path
is a man preparing- silk for the loom. It is a pretty
sight, the golden threads glistening in the sun as
they spin round the reels at a tremendous speed.
We soon get out to a proper street again, though
a very narrow one. and,' of course, dirty and smelly.
But we don't think very much of that as we enter
the very first door on our left and find that it leads
into a very small, dark courtyard.
Mrs. Lien calls out, "Are you at home?"
A woman answers from inside the west room and
-non appears in the doorway to welcome us. The
daughters and daughters-in-law all congregate to
see the strange looking foreigner and listen to her
queer ways of talking. They all bring their babies
along, so the room is soon full of people. All are
very friendly, but as they have not yet eaten their
breakfast, we know they are not anxious for us to
stay very long. We talk to them for a few minutes
about the Gospel and then pass on to the next house.
Here we enter a big gate and find several women
and children sitting out in the courtyard, doing sew-
ing and other work. But inside the room is an old
woman sitting on the floor making a wadded gar-
ment for one of the younger members of the family.
She offers to get us some tea, but we assure her we
have just eaten, and after having exchanged some
friendly words about her family, etc., we talk to her
about the one true God and how we worship Him
Two of the younger women have followed us into
the room. They laugh nervously as they listen to
this story, so strange to them.
But, by and by, the old woman gets so interested
that she puts down her sewing and looking earnestly
into our faces, asks, "But how do you pray to your
God?"
We tell her how — while all the time, we are pray-
ing for her in our hearts. She promises to come
and see us when she can. Then two of her little
granddaughters take us to a neighbor's home.
A knock at the door, and a young daughter-in-law
asks. "Who is there?" But when she hears who we
are, she says, "I am alone, my mother-in-law is out.
so I dare not open the door."
This may be but an excuse, but in any case, we
go to the next house, where we are very weli
received. The husband here is a soldier, and has.
been at Pingyang, he tells us, and while. there, often
went to the service, so he knows the doctrine is
good. We talk to his wife, who appears to be very
friendly, but after a while she says, "This doctrine
is not for me. I can't believe."
We assure her it is just for such as she and the
Lord is willing to receive anyone who comes to Him.
But she interrupts us with, "No. teacher! I'll tell
you just how it is. I am not like other people, my
heart has got all kinds of sin in it. I hate some
people, and I do this and that and the other — and I
have got no memory either. Had it been in un-
voting days, then it would have been different."
What a splendid opportunity this is to tell of Him
who came to save sinners !
A little longer we talk to her. She will not let
us go without having a cup of tea, and she also
promises to try to come and see us. But this is
not so easy for she has no one to look after the
door.
We go home praying for her and the others, that
the Sun of Righteousness may come to shine in their
dark hearts.
"All through this day. O Lord! let me touch
as many lives as possible for Thee. And every life
I touch, do Thou through thy spirit quicken —
whether by the word I speak, the prayer I breathe
or the life I live."
FEBRUARY. 1920
dHU i
Photograph by Mr. J. L. Rowe
A "Street Chapel"
By Mr. J. L. ROWE, Kanchow. Kiangsi
THE evangelistic society of our church has
rented part of a shop just within the east gate
of the city where hundreds of people pass the
door. We have not sufficient workers to have
someone constantly there but we .hold meetings
there on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings.
Occasionally a worker is there during the day. I
went one morning to photograph the place, but it
was very difficult owing to the street being so
narrow and there being so little light. I did the
best I could, and enclose the result which will help
you to see one of the spots where we work to make
Christ known to those who live in darkness. Will
you please make a special point of praying often
that many men may be saved through the Gospel
preached in this little street chapel. Several who
have heard the Word preached there have come to
our Sunday services.
"Love"
By Mi.s MARY S. CRUICKSHANKS, Kweiki, Kiangsi
IN the school at Kweiki, a foundling child, "Wee
Mary," was taken in and cared for till adopted
by a Christian Chinese couple. Her support in
the Mission school was provided through a fund
given by a detained-at-home missionary and his
family as a memorial for a son who died. "Love"
is the successor of "Wee Mary" in the benefit of
this fund.
"Love" arrived one day in the middle of last
school term, with all her worldly possessions in a
little bundle, which she carried under her arm.
She was so happy and friendly that she soon had
quite a circle of friends in school, and not being
troubled with shyness, she soon gave us her own
history and the history of every member of her
family.
Someone asked her if she was pleased to come
to school, and she said, "Oh. yes, because if I hadn't
come to school, I was to become engaged and go
to live with my mother-in-law. My sister has
alreadv become engaged."
When she was going to bed, I said to her, "Do
you know how to pray, 'Love'?" She replied, "Yes,
1 can pray when my grandfather tells me what to
say."
We then taught her a little prayer, and as soon
as she had finished, she looked up and made the
startling announcement, "I can repeat the whole
Bible."
Having got permission to begin, she said, "Teach-
er, I'd rather sing it." Forthwith, she started to
s i n ^- the names of the Books of the Bible, to a
Chinese tune which we had taught the women one-
time when they were in for teaching.
After she had sung all she could remember, she
began to think of her grandfather and get home-
sick, till finally she shed a few tears and then fell
asleep.
The next day she began study in the kindergarten
school, where she quickly got into school routine.
Please pray much for "Love" and all the other
little ones in the kindergarten that they may early
get to know the "Children's Friend."
By Mi:
" Made in China"
l A. M. JOHANNSEN, Yushan, Kiangsi
THE last weeks of school will not easily be for-
gotten in China, as the students in all the
middle schools and colleges went on strike.
The primary and intermediate schools continued
study, but were excited like the rest, and every-
where the boys smashed everything Japanese and
showed their patriotism in every way.
The Scholars' Union, the Commercial Guild, etc.,
held meetings every few days, and even the most
concersative parties joined in. All stores refused
to sell Japanese goods. It is amusing to see the
teachers going about with big heavy Chinese um-
brellas when the light foreign umbrellas made in
Japan would shield them so much better from the
sun. ' But woe betide the man who carries a foreign
umbrella ! In the middle of the street someone will
step up to him and quietly ask the question, "Do
you love your country?" He has nothing to say.
and feels very small. Next day he appears with a
Chinese umbrella.
My heart has often cried out, "Would to God that
Christian people were as much in earnest for their
King and for the coming of His Kingdom !"
In the middle of July we had a very happy time
in opening a new outstation in a very important
place. We have mortgaged a very small house in
memory of dear Mr. Stevenson. This year the
Christians collected some money for repairs and for
expenses connected with the opening. Very great
crowds came to listen to the message of salvation.
A large band went from here, including some of the
big boys. They were so excited about going that
they got up before midnight. They were sent to bed
again, but in a little while they reappeared and
started making a fire, so everybody got up and got
ready, starting out at 2.30 in the morning.
A good many Christians and inquirers from one
CH1NA-S MILLIONS
As many financial burdens arc being put on the
shoulders of the Chinese church we are trying to
save all we can. Therefore .we have given up two
of our street chapels and intend to hold open-air
meetings instead. In the day time that will he all
right, but it will interfere with night work.
The church has also taken up a special collection
for the poor. As one old woman is left alone and
unprovided for many gave gladly for that purpose.
Then the boys' school saved a little foundling, and
added her to our family, but her story I must tell
another time.
Cheering words from Chinese
THE following is a copy of a letter from Chinese
passengers aboard the Steamship "Empress of
Japan," addressed to Rev. T. E. Robinson and
missionary part}- traveling with him from China to
England via Canada :
To the Fellow Missionary Passengers,
R. M. S. "Empress of Japan,"
Vancouver, B.C.
Ladies and Gentlemen :
We, the Chinese passengers on board the R. M. S.
"Empress of Japan," have the greatest pleasure in being
able to meet you on this trip as well as in being able to
hear the many lectures and speeches. We appreciate
very highly your noble purpose and your valuable services
which you have rendered to the poor people at home.
We should deem it a great honor, if you would kindly
accept a small sum of two hundred dollars gold, which
we have collected among us for the Blind Institute under
the charge of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Waern of Shansi, as a
token of our gratitude for the noble work you have
accomplished in our country. We trust that by your
energetic work the Light and Truth will be extended
throughout the length and breadth of the Republic before
long.
Wishing you every success in your noble work,
We remain,
Yours faithfully,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
CHI ZANG WANG.
For the Chinese passengers on board the R. M. S.
"Empress of Japan."
By Rev. KENNETH MACLEOD, i
ii furlough
Our Ninghai postmaster, Mr. Kao, came to the
city some seven or eight years ago, a fine young
man and a graduate from High School. He has a
good knowledge of English, for his post requires
that. Shortly after he came to Ninghai we got in
touch with him, gave him some gospels and tracts
and an English gospel of John— the underscored
gospels sent out by the Bible House of Los Angeles.
Not long after that Mr. Kao sent me an English
letter requesting prayer for himself, "that he might
be saved and delivered from sin, which God alone
could do," as he said. Mr. Kao has gone on well.
His influence on the young gentry in the city is
altogether for good and he seeks to lead them to
the Lord.
Recently, Mr. Kao writes as follows : "Mr. Uen,
(the Ninghai Police Magistrate) has been trans-
ferred to another city and said please remember me
to Mr. Macleod. He has already believed Jesus
Christ, but he is too timid to recognize Him in pub-
lic. Sorry I have not made him to confess his sin in
the church and become a brother to us before he
left.
"My wife has given up to believe in idols and she
has begun to read the Bible daily. She is glad to
study the Old Testament, one page every day, and
asks me when she does not understand it. I cannot
tell you a lie about myself ; I am not so diligent as
she is. Sunday I read the Old Testament one or two
pages, but not daily. Though I am very busy to
do my work now, I must try my best to read the
Bible every morning when I get up. Sorry for my
wife, she is still shameful to go to church to join
with them. There is only one hope, that God will
send His Holy Spirit to lead her on."
For this answer to prayer for Mrs. Kao we do
rejoice, and pray she may go on to know Him. It
is a or ea t change for her who once was a persecu-
tor, in her blind devotion to idols, to be now study-
ing the Old Testament daily ! May brother Kao be
used more and more to lead Ninghai's voting men to
Christ.
By Mr
Simple Faith in Prayer
. TALBOT and Miss LEGGAT, Taiho. Anhw
THE motto of Chang I-teh is "Pray through." A
matter concerning his daughter-in-law, which
threatened to become a lawsuit, was satisfac-
torily settled in answer to prayer. His favorite
prayer resort is a quiet spot near his farm where
four roads meet and there on the crossing he kneels,
because his Lord was nailed to a cross.
His wife, who was baptized last year, was so
impressed by the many answers to prayer, that she
determined to find out the secret. One night when
all had retired to rest, she stood outside the door
of the room to listen and hear what her husband
was saying to the God whom he could not see.
and later when business called him away from home
and family difficulties arose, she waited until the
household had gone to rest and then knelt down
on the same spot and told Jesus all her heart.
"Did He answer you?" we inquired.
"Hundreds of times, " was the reply.
Mrs. Hwang, a simple country peasant who can-
FEBRUARY. 1920
not read, told us that one day \\
strain left in the house sufficient f<
no expectations of further suppli
her room, and told her Lord say
absent son v
than suffic:
29
istman brought
h a three dollar
t to meet her
vest.
Our Shanghai Letter
By the Secretary of the Ch.na Council, Mr. JAMES STARK, <
Deaths in the Mission. Last weel
the Mission sustained a three-fol
bereavement in the deaths of Mr. <
W. Clarke, Mrs. 1. Brock and Miss
. mack,
deep sympathy
Mrs. Brock's deatl
on De< '
prise;
re la
owkiakow
while we had two days
„.. heard that Dr. Guinness
and Nurse Herbert then were on
their way to her, we had no intima-
tion that her life was in danger. Dr.
Guinness, writing on December 4th,
says: "I was summoned bv wire to
attend Mrs. Brock, who was down
with influenza. Miss Herbert came.
tain her strength. The toxaemia was
severe and prostration very marked,
the finer tubes of the lungs being
blocked, the heart gave way and our
dear sister has gone to be with the
Lord. She died at midday to-dav
after an illness of eleven days. We
have been here only two and a halt-
days. Mr. Brock is being helped oi
God. It is sad for the children. The
local church is showing much sym-
pathy. Mrs. Brock was greatly loved.
Her careful, faithful life, so consist-
ent in walk and so sane and helpful
in all its relationships, has borne an
influence which will abide. She has
passed away in perfect peace, glad to
go, yet willing to stay if such was
His will. Her mind remained clear
to within a few minutes of the end,
and there was no apparent suffering."
Mrs. Brock, win. was 48 years of age,
Elliott on November's,' lS'M. and un-
united in marriage to Mr. Brock three
for
and
Home.
Mrs. \Y
lbs
Novei
hild
en, left
furlou
teric
a and E
te. L
r. E. S.
l left f
the
United
St
i t e s . a
n an
d Miss J
c.
fohnsi
an Allia
Missii
ed t
:tle.
•\Y
An Affair with Robbers. Mr. F. G.
now tells uf a trying experience
i rough which he passed on October
th. He writes: "As I traveled up
ver, when not very far from Wan-
;ien, we suddenly heard the sound of
pistol shot. The skipper of the
nail boat exclaimed to me, 'Robbers
ive come.' and at once he brought
te boat to the bank for fear of being
lot if he dared to ignore the warn-
g. 1 heard a man call out, 'There is
foreigner on board,' and then saw
vo or three of the gang board the
»at forward. One of them asked.
lere is the foreigner?' and then
and another made straight for me,
ered me to get up. and caught
d of me, felt my belt for money,
ire at me. and actually threatened
kill me, all the while brandishing
knife. Naturally, I was dazed and
rtled. I heard one or two of the
sengers asking them not to kill
n g myself beyond asking them
at was the matter. Silently I with-
od and rebuked the devil in the
ne of the Lord Jesus. Next they
ned to my things, opened my box.
work and ransacked
ng just what they
oughlv handling some
:mber 12th. 1919
ourishing days
last letter (November 20th), 359 bap-
tisms have been reported, bringing
the total, thus far recorded for the
year, up to 5,321. This is a consider-
able advance on the same period of
last year.
Workers' Conferences. A confer
ence of foreign and Chinese workers
was held at Lahchi, in the province
of Chekiang, from November 19th to
21st. Beside eleven missionaries,
representing six central stations,
there were present over seventy-
Chinese preachers, colporteurs, bible-
women, delegates and visitors from
the stations and outstations of the
three prefectures of Ch'uchow, Kin-
hwa and Yenchow. The object of the
gathering was to consider means of
linking up the stations in these dis-
tricts so that they may co-operate in
effort for the furtherance of the Gos-
pel and the interests of the church.
A similar conference of workers in
the north of Western Szechwan was
held at Chengtu on November 5th and
present, including Dr. Parry, the
Superintendent. The stations repre-
sented were Kiating, Kwanhsien.
Kiungchow, Pengshan. and Chengtu,
and the subjects of importance affect-
held in Mr. Saunders' guest room for
prayer, when a welcome was extend-
ed to the missioner. This was attend-
ed by twenty-five young men, all of
whom had been brought to Christ at
the Central Gospel Hall since it was
great price.
Arrivals in China. On November
24th, we had the pleasure of welcom-
ing Mr. and Mrs. John Macfarlane,
who have for a number of years
represented the Mission in Hobart,
Tasmania, and with them Miss A. M.
Charley, a new worker sent out by
the Australasian Council. Mr. and
Mrs. Macfarlane are staving at Chin-
kiang for the present, while Miss
Charley has gone to the Training
Home at Yangchow. On the same
day we welcomed Miss E. Forrler
back from furlough. On November
29th, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Hick, two
new workers from North America,
arrived.
ising Opium in Kweichow.
-'mi n vl m Kweichow, "is sii
wild over opium." He wr
; schools have closed down,
have slopped bringing salt.
dear, as labor is scarce. Farmers are
paving such big prices to men to help
them plant out opium that all trades
and professions are finding it difficult
to obtain help. There will be a large
crop planted this fall, and next year
opium will be as cheap as in the
240,
sight), the
was about
In i
ad the fact demonstrated that
to the Chinese the state of the
weather makes a great difference.-
and it is not to be wondered at that
the people are not eager to leave
their homes to face the cold winds,
rain, and wet streets. Mr. West-
wood's Gospel messages were pointed.
definite, and had the true ring of the
old Gospel and it was no surprise
that God blessed. Had the weather
conditions been good, the results
would have been far greater, for the
attendance and interest were 011 the
30
increase when suddenly cold weather
set in. Nine young men openly con-
fessed Christ during the mission, and
interesting conversations were had
with others, who might be included
with the 'almost persuaded.' Since
the Central Gospel Hall was opened
last May, 61 men have openly con-
fessed their faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and we have kept in touch
with them all. The Lord is showing
that He is still pleased to save men
by the foolishness of preaching, and
the Gospel is still the power of God,
and nothing new is needed."
How Converts Came. Miss Mc-
Queen, of Anjen, Kiangsi, in a letter
dated November 20th, writes: "It may
be of interest to you to receive details
concerning the thirty-five converts
recently baptized in this district.
Nineteen were men and sixteen
women. Of the latter, six were wives
of men already church members, two
were daughters of Christians, one the
mother of a Christian daughter. Of
the men, three were husbands whose
wives were already Christians, and
two were brothers of Christians. One
of these latter was influenced through
-eeing the great change in his bro-
ther, who had formerly been a gam-
bler; so, as he himself was also a
gambler, he followed his brother's
example, trusted the Lord, and found
that He was able to save him too.
He had been adopted by an uncle and
aunt, and at first they were opposed
to his becoming a Christian ; but
noticing the great change in his life,
they ceased to hinder him. Nine of
those baptized were either them-
selves demon-possessed, or had some-
one in their family in that pitiable
condition. One of them, a Mr. Li, is
the nephew of a Christian woman in
Huangchinp'u. His wife became
demon-possessed, and was also very
ili. In fact she nearly died, and they
had the coffin all ready for her. The
demon within her said that the only
way by which he could be cast out
was by. trusting in Jesus; that they
might try every other plan, but he
feared only Jesus. After this the
husband got his aunt and some other
Christians to pray for his wife, and
-he was completely delivered and
restored to health. Since then both
husband and wife have turned to God,
and now the husband has been bap-
tized."
A Keller Party in Kiangsi. Mr.
Robert Porteous, writing from Yuan-
chow, in Kiangsi, reports that an
evangelistic party, sent by Dr. Keller
from Hunan, has just about finished
working this city and suburbs within
a radius of from three to five miles.
They reckon that every home has
been visited, and about thirty fresh
inquirers are, as the direct result of
their efforts, attending the services
in the city church. Over three thou-
sand homes were entered during
Xovember, and upwards of 10,000
tracts, booklets. Scripture portions
and New Testaments were put into
circulation.
A DEPUTATION VISIT.
Rev. Kenneth Macleod, whose fur-
lough headquarters is Peru, Ind.,
spent the larger part of November
and December in extensive deputa-
tion work. In Chicago he gave six
>n mission work in China
"Chi
Cla:
of the Mo
• often
nd Mis
and
- 1 1 >
rks "how
China
In
prayer in that wonderful building."
In the middle of November he went
to Colorado Springs, from which he
had to hasten to engagements in
Denver, where he spent five days
"full of blessing and long to be
remembered." Going on to Los
Angeles, he spent "sixteen pleasant
days" there, the guest of the Bible
ititute, speaki
:11
city,
also
-itn
Mr.
of the
W. E.
Blackstone in Pasadena
Ralph D. Smith of the Bible House
of Los Angeles, who is our China
Inland Mission Representative in
that section. With the latter he
penetrated to the seashore (at Santa
Monica Beach) and "felt the tug of
China very strong — only the Pacific
between — and yet having to return
east again !"
On his return journey he stopped
at Dallas for two and a half days
speaking in "Dr. Schofield's oil
church." thence to Paris, Texas, for
three days, taking service alone with
a missionary representing work in
South America, all the meetings being
"very hearty" and giving promise of
some candidates for the mission
field." In St. Louis he had two day;,
including a Wednesday evening meet-
ing for Rev. R L. Evans, formerly in
China under the China Inland Mis-
sion.
Through touching many places, Mr.
Macleod observed that "non-church
goers and the questionable methods
that are used to attract the absentees
are great problems everywhere." He
adds, "So many ministers not only do
not preach the Word of God them-
selves, but actively and boldly oppose
the men that are true to Christ"; yet
again, — "Those who love His appear-
ing are drawing closer together,
regardless of their church connec-
tions." That missionary work is not
restricted to foreign lands is shown
by the fact that "one great privilege
of that Western trip, both going and
coming, was the many blessed and
fruitful opportunities one had of deal-
ing with souls and directing them to
the Lord."
NOTES FROM CHINA.
Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Crofts are to
be located at Chenyuan, in the pro-
vince of Kweichow, until the spring,
when they are expected to take up
work in the Tsunvi district.
Mr. Morris Slichter, of Anshunfu.
Kweichow, who went out to China in
1915 from Toronto, was married on
November 4th, 1919. to Miss [rma
Newcomb. who also entered the Mis-
CHINA'S MILLIONS
sion in 1915, having graduated that
same year from the Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.
While Dr. E. S. Fish is home, at
l.kho, Wis., on furlough, the staff of
his station. Anshunfu, Kweichow, has
received further reinforcements by
the appointment of Mr. J. H. M. Rob-
inson, B.A., from Australia.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Westnidge returned
to their former station of Fushun.
West Szechwan, and with them Mr.
W. F. H. Briscoe, formerly in Hung-
tung, Shansi, who will take up work
in Fushun for the next two years or
so. Of Mr. Briscoe's three motherless
children, the two elder ones are with
him and the youngest (an infant
under a year) has been taken to rela-
tives in England.
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Sinton are again
to be located (for the present) at
Kiatingfu, Szechwan. but later on
will be associated with Mr. and Mrs.
Hockman in the work of the "middle
school" at Luchow, Szechwan.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Bannan returned
to their former sphere of service at
Changteh, in the province of Hunan.
Rev. and Mrs. C. X. Lack take
charge again of the station at Yen-
cheng, Honan, where they have spent
many years of service.
Mrs. W. Y. King has taken the
position of housekeeper at the Mis-
sion's training home for young ladie-
at Yangchow.
Mrs. H. X. Lachlan on her return
from England resumed charge of the
Mission Home at Shanghai.
Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Carr, on reaching
China, left for their former post of
service, the hospital at Pingvangfu in
Shansi.
Miss I. A. Craig, who has long been
out of health and temporarily resi-
dent at Shanghai, has undertaken
work in the treasurer's department
of the Mission offices there.
Miss M. E. Waterman will agair.
have the companionship of Miss A.
L Saltmarsh in the work at Tsing-
kiangpu by the exchange arranged
between Miss F. A. R. Baker and Miss
Saltmarsh. whereby the former takes
up work in Antung. Kiangsu.
Miss Grace J. Taylor, B.A., the eld-
est daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Win
Taylor, joined the teaching staff of
the Mission's Girls' School at Chefo>
ai the beginning of the present ter:r.
(since the Christmas holidays).
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Pray for the re-uniting of true
Christians in Chinese churches, also
pray for Chinese officials (page 21)
Pray for the old Chinese worker at
Wenchow who has heen under a
cloud (p. 22).
Give thanks for the success and
blessing of various conferences ir.
China (pp. 22 and 29).
Pray for the Mohammedans men-
tioned by Mr. Harris, especially for
{Continued on /■".£' ,•_?.
FEBRUARY, 1920
IF any of our readers desire a w
detailed view of mission work
our paper gives to them, they
obtain the same by subscribing to
Recorder", edited and published
Shanghai, for $4 (Mexican) a year,
tional. Orders may be placed with
office.
Editorial Notes
The friends who have seen the new Prayei
card will have noticed that the "Objects of I
have been added to. It has been felt for son
past that the objects as formerly expresse
too narrow and that they needed amplificatii
have, therefore, remodelled them so that oui
will be larger and our prayers more full an
plete. We cannot pray too largely either ii
tity or extent. China and the China Inland I
are our special objectives ; but Cod's thought
all Missions and the whole world, and we I
be like Him in our remembrance of them.
more
Great Britain ;
ind Ireland. Sir
Robert Borden, pre-
than
mier of Canada
. .Mr. \Y. N. Ilu
ghes, premier of Aus-
»le to
tralia, Mr. \\ .
J. Massev, pre.
nier of Xew Zealand.
mese
Mr. R. A. Squ
f Newfoundland, and
,- at
Genera] bonis
Botha, premier
of South Africa. This
addi-
in itself is a no
table fact, but
it is much more so b)
ssion
reason of the
nature of the
paper. It is a New
Year's messag<
_> to the British
Commonwealth, and
it is one of a di
stinctly spiritu;
il kind. The premiers
Jnion
have commonb
y acknowledger
1 the tact that some-
Lver"
thing more tha
n victory and n;
itional renovation are
time
presently need.
id, and indeed.
that nations will per-
ish unless ioni
ided upon spiri
tual truth and right-
We
eousness. Ther
e is not space ■
to quote more than a
'ision
portion of it. '
'Responsible as
we are in our separ-
owds
The helplessness of heathenism to bring peace to
the heart is illustrated by a story which appeared in
a recent review. This runs as follows: "Upon one
occasion when distributing gospels and tracts in this
district we had a most touching experience. All the
morning we had been walking up and down the
narrow streets of a village, preaching th
and distributing literature to the mixed
which thronged the busy market place,
we stopped in front of a stall under which several
women had gathered. Holding out some tracts we
said, 'Books that tell of peace received!' The women
looked startled. Then, as we showed them the
books, one of them, a woman of some fifty summers
who seemed to be the spokesman of the party,
stepped forward. As she did so her eyes fell on
one of the titles: 'A Guide to the Heavenly Road.'
Eagerly she reached out her hand for the treasured
prize, her dark piercing eyes looking straight into
mine as she said: 'Oh, Sir, 'if yon can tell us the way
to Heaven, we will give you all that we possess.
We have denied ourselves meat for ten. fifteen
years in the hope of finding peace. If yon. Sir, can
point us to the Way we will give yon all the money
you may ask.' Here was devotion to her religion,
eagerness for truth and a longing for salvation, but
an admission that all that heathenism had ever
brought to her left her wholly unsatisfied. And it
is always so. The man or woman in heathenism is
yet to be found who can honestly say, "I have
peace", or "I am satisfied." Such exclamations
spring only from faith in Christ. This being the
case, what a constraint should be upon us to get
the Gospel of God's grace to such peoples.
Far the first time in the history of the British
Kingdom and Empire, a government paper has been
issued which bears the signature of its different
ministers, the paper being signed by Mr. David
Eloyd George, premier of the United Kingdom of
ate spheres for a share in the guidance of the British
Empire as it faces the problems of the future, we
believe that in the acceptance of spiritual prin-
ciples lies the snre basis of world peace." This
strikes the right note and one that has heretofore
been sadly lacking, especially in high places.
"Where there is no vision, the people perish"
(Proverbs 29:18). It is a popular theory now-a-
days to talk of visions. We say of this man that he
failed because he had no vision, meaning that he
did not succeed because he did not see the larger
things of life; or we say of that man that he suc-
ceeded because he had a vision, meaning that he has
attained to big things because he saw big things.
And so the average man would quote and inter-
pret this text, "Where there is no vision" that is.
when men do not see high and far and large, "the
people perish," that is they fail to reach life's ideals
and attain to life's amplitudes. There is of course
a measure of truth in such thoughts. At the same
time, we would point out the fact that this was not
the meaning that the Holy Spirit put into the words
of the
as it
"Whc
en He
in the
;rote them. The
/ised Version, :
ill i
folio
tint :
ut he that ke
king about
eth the
-. happ]
and the vi
s he."
hut it
happy
mind is that of His holy Word.
nan does not have this vision, he perishes.
ng off restraint and becoming a law-breaker;
be has it, he keeps the law and becomes truly
In other words it is not true that one needs
to see big. The thing which is most import-
ant is to look upon the thing which is both big and
right. And this last, in God's estimate, is His
righteous law expressed in His Word. To see that
Word, inclusive of God's dear Son, is to have the
biggest and most righteous vision to be had in time
or eternity; and to see it, and thus Him, is to
become like both it and Him and thus to become a
law-keeper and a happy man. We have known
astronomers who spent their lives in looking at
stars and planets, the biggest things in man's phy-
sical vision ; and ye we have seen some such remain
miserably small and unblessed. But as James says.
"Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty —
shall be blessed in his deed."
PRAYER CALLS— PRAISE ECHOES
{Continue
the one baptized Moslem in Sining,
and for the ex-ahong engaged .1- a
teacher (p. 24).
Pray for the blind in China (pp. 25
and 28). and for the women visited
ries and bible-women (p.
26).
Remember the work
•street chapels" (p. 27)
Please pray for "Ltn
little ones (p. 27).
Pray for the Christi;
of Ninghai and his w
God for what He has
for them (p. 28).
Thank God for new worker;
in China (p. 29).
Praise Him for safeguardim
^ionarv from robbers (p. 29).
leing done in
e" and other
n postmaster
ife. thanking
already done
Ask God to restrain the renewed
growing of opium (p. 29).
Give praise for the cheering record
of baptisms (p. 29).
Pray that much fruit will be gath-
ered from the work reported bv Mr.
Porteous (p. 30).
ARRIVALS.
November 8th. 1919, at Shanghai,
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Bannan and two
children, returned, with Miss C. E.
Chafee. B.Sc, Miss R. C. Benson ana
Miss Grace J. Taylor, B.A., from
North America.
November 17th. at Shanghai. Rev.
and Mrs. C. N. Lack and child, and
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Sinton and three
rhildren, returned from England and
v. a
CHINAS MILLIONS
and Mrs. \V. A. Hick, from Canada.
December 25th, at Victoria, B.C..
Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Williston and
two children, also Dr. E. S. Fish, from
China.
DEPARTURES.
lanuarv 10th. 1920. from Victoria.
B.C.. Miss M. E. Standen, returning
to China.
January 27th. from Victoria, B.C..
Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett Olsen. return-
ing to China.
MARRIAGE.
November 4th. 1919, at Chungkm-.
Szechwan. Mr. Morris S. Slkhte- to
Miss Irma L. Newcomb.
November 29th, at Shangha
Mr.
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION
RECEIPTS, JANUARY, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
78.00
10.00
10.00
300 no
10 on
50 00
.".(I DO
5.00
25.10
10.00
10.00
1.00
Amount
* 25.00
5.00
1.000.00
3,100 00
75.00
5.50
15.00
S.-.0 .00
10.00
2.00
10.00
2.00
5.00
1.00
5.00
15.00
200.00
200.00
50.00
25.00
50.00
5.00
1.90
10.00
10.00
10.00
_'no on
75.00
15.00
.50
10.00
5.00
25 . 00
10.00
10.00
5.00
2.00
5.00
05.00
6.00
50.00
55.00
Amount
* 5.00
2.50
SPECI\L PURPOSES
$165.00
60.00
25.00
300.00
25.00
36.00
25.00
50.00
20.00
3.00
100.00
7.00
10.00
2.50
12.00
5.00
20.00
5.00
50.00
30.00
22.50
2.00
20.00
15.00
20.00
150.00
5.00
4.00
1.00
1.00
60.00
100.00
5.00
5.00
93.00
34.00
7.00
2.50
1.00
10.00
100.00
20.00
7.00
30.00
25.00
30.00
50.00
10.00
2-
- lint..
10
5.
-23
34
35 Int . .
40
43
46
-48
53
H-
-58
59
9-
-68
10-
-71
72
13-
-77
78
79
80
15
-83
84
85
15-
-92
93
-95
98
17-
-107
10
-114
115
116
117
118 Int..
119
20-
-123
124
125
126
>■>-
-138
M
-144
>fi-
-149
150
151 Int..
160
M-
162
10-
-166
167
<1
-168
173
182
183
-II-
-1st
185
iMi . . .
187
TORONTO
4.25
10.00
48.00
50.00
100.00
2.00
3.00
750.00
44.20
5.00 :
350 00
5.00
10.00
10.00
5.00
5.00
5 ill!
L'00.00
34 . 50
10.00
35.87
3.00
2 . 52
54.96
10 00
15.00
2.00
40.00
60.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
50.00
7.00
10.00
10.00
5.00
20.00
10.00
10.00
SPECIAL PURPOSES
30.00
8.00
5.00
2.00
25.00
15.00
15.00
Hi 05
20.00
30.01)
25 ii"
13.70
20.00
20 00
10.00
50.00
8.00
51.2 5
25 1111
10.15
60.00
15.00
5.00
20.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
16.00
10.00
32.00
35.00
50.00
5.00
50.00
From Philadelphia
From Toronto—
For Missionary and General Purposes.
For Special Purposes
1
EBENEZER
VOL. XXVIII. No. 3 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.50 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
I Buffalo. NY. under
MISSION OFFICES
GERM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
r.Decembei 12. 1917. at the
for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section I 103, Act of October 3. 1917.
authorized July 18. 1918
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
TORONTO
MARCH, 1920
JEHOVAH-JIREH
A New Idol in Tiehshan— By Miss R. M.
Lindeslrom . A
36 Why Medical Workers are Few— From
Yorkston
The In(n)s and Outs of a Superin
Journey — By Rev. H'm. Taylor. .
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Acting Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
i'rayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Gennantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N J.
Rev. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Angelss. Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
Ellas Roger*, Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southern, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Gennantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the Inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitations of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mil
ary, 1919, consisted of 1,057
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers,
some of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
er by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,600 stations and
outstatlons have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,079 baptized In 1918.
There are now about 45,000 communicants.
Since 1865, over 70,500 converts have been
baptized.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane. Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane. Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto. Omt.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
rrespondence should be addressed, donation! be remitted, and applications (or ■
NOTE.— Pottage to all C.l.M. stations in China (including Shanghai, Chefoo, etc.) u
now five cents per ounce from Canada. The rates from the United States remain as they wee.
In the case of a donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it wiH be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
transmission ' ' and for the private use of that individual.
ire and bequeath. FORM OF DEVISE— I give and de
te note) the •urn of China Inland Miaiion (tee note), all that
d ollan. | insert description of property ) with the «l
NOTE-kl case the wiU i. made out ia I ■ f « ™? ,> ' e \' "J" .T
the United State., the following word. ^ » nd behalf of said
id to be inserted: "having '
to be expended for the appro-
priate objects of said Mission ;
and 1 direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
sion shall be a sufficient dis-
PhiladelphL. . _
the will it made out in Canada the f
lowing words need to be inserted: "hi
ins offices at Toronto, Ontario."
forever: and direct that tt
lease of the Home Direct
said Mission thall be a tufi
discharge to my «*cuto
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows:
WEEKLY
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.
China Inlan 15 School Lane Friday 8.00 p.m.
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave Wednesday 8.00 p.m.
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic Citv).
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale. 14 So. Sacramento Ave Friday 3.30 p.m.
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St
Tacoma, Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington, 811 So. Junett St
. . Mon. Afternoon .
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home. 507 Church St . . .
Vancouver, B.C.
Res.. Rev. Chas. Thomson. C.l.M. Representat
Rible Training School. 356 Broadway W
Friday 8.00 p.m.
■. 1017 Tenth Ave. E., specially arranged
2nd & 4th Friday. 8. 00 p.m.
Albany, N.Y., Bible School, 107 Columbia St 1st Thurs. (i
Buffalo, N.Y., Res.. Miss Quadlander. 562 East Uti. a St
Lockport, N.Y.. Res., Mrs. W. B. Singleton. 189 East
SEMI-MONTHLY
t 4th Mon 8.00 p.m.
MONTHLY
rn)..8.30a
....8. 00 p.rr
Cleveland. Ohio. Res. Mi-- Z. A. Broughtc
Detroit, Mich., Res.. Mr. James Bain, " '
Pontiac, Mich., Re; ' '
W. B. Redfern, 200 Mt. Clemens St. 1
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec, Mrs. Ed. J. Le<
"" leapolis, ""
Monda>
Thursday
Friday . . . .
g 00
.7.30,
..8.00 p.
, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch.
8th St
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Church . .
Los Angeles, Cal., Res.. Mrs. O. A. Allen, I
Berkeley, Cal., Res.. Mrs
2nd Monday 7.45 p.rr
.1st Thursday 8.00 p.rr
2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.rr
Halifax. N.S., At \
Montreal, Que.. R.
s homes. Sec. Mrs. E. L. Fenerty.^
r. J. David Eraser. :r»0 Ma>
London, Ont., Res., Re\
I. S. Pritchard.
. Representativ
h Friday 3.30 pjn.
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. George E. Pegg 1st Tuesday.
Bolsover, Ont., At various homes. Sec. Miss A. M. McRae,
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont --„V,V lst Wednesda >' 3 ^ p - m -
Winnipeg. Man., Res.. Mrs. W. R. Mulock, oo, Yvelhngton^ ^.^ ^ ^
Calgary!" Aibert'a',' Res!.' Mr.' A. L. Forde. 1328 11th Ave. W .1st Monday 8.00 p.m.
Victoria, B.C., Book and Bible Room. Fairfield Bldg.. Cor- om „ m
morant St. lst Monday. 3.00 p.m. Also occasional meetings S.W P-™-
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO, MARCH, 1920
"Who Will Go?"
By the late Rev. C. H. SPURGEON
BRETHREN, the heathen are perishing, and there
is but one salvation for them, for there is but
one Name given under heaven among men
whereby they must be saved. God in the glorious
unity of His divine nature, is calling for messengers
who shall proclaim to men the way of life.
Out of the thick darkness my ear can hear that
sound, mysterious and divine : "Whom shall I
send?" If ye will but listen with the ear of faith
ye may hear it in this house to-day: "Whom shall
I s.end?" While the world lieth under the curse of
sin, the living God, who willeth not that any should
perish but that they should come to repentance, is
seeking for heralds to proclaim His mercy; He is
asking, even in pleading terms, for someone who
will go to the dying millions, and tell the wondrous
story of His love: "Whom shall I send?"
As if to make the voice more powerful by a three-
fold utterance, we hear the sacred Trinity inquire,
"Who will go for Us?" The Father asks ; "Who
will go for Me, and invite My far-off children to
return'" The Son inquires, "Who will ^seek for
Me, My redeemed but wandering sheep?" The
Holy Spirit demands : "In whom shall I dwell, and
through whom shall I speak that I may convey life
to the perishing multitudes?" God in the unity of
His nature crieth, "Whom shall I send?" and in the
trinity of His persons He asketh, "Who will sro for
Us?;-'
When a man is prepared for sacred work it is
not long before he receives a commission. We
come, then, to think of the divine call. I feel in my
soul, though I cannot speak it out, an inward griev-
ing sympathy with God, that God Himself should
have to cry from His throne, "Whom shall I send?"
Alas, my God, are there no volunteers for Thy
service? What, all these priests and sons of Aaron,
will none of these run upon Thine errand? And all
these Levites, will none of them offer himself? No,
not one. Ah, it is grievous, grievous beyond all
thought, that there should be such multitudes of
men and women in the church of God who neverthe-
less seem unfit to be sent upon the Master's work,
or at least never offer to go, and He has to cry,
"Whom shall I send?"
What, out of these saved ones, no willing mes-
sengers to the heathen! Where are His ministers?
Will none of these cross the seas to heathen lands ?
Here are thousands of us working at home. Are
none of us called to go abroad? Will none of us
carry the Gospel to regions beyond? Are none of
us bound to go ? Does the divine voice appeal to
our thousands of preachers and find no response,
so that again it cries, "Whom shall I send?"
Here are multitudes of professing Christians
making money, getting rich, eating the fat and
drinking the sweet. Is there not one to go for
Christ? Men travel abroad for trade; will they
not go for Jesus? They even risk life, amid eternal
snows; are there no heroes for the Cross? Here
and there a young man, perhaps with little qualifi-
cation and no experience, offers himself, and he may
or may not be welcomed, but can it be true that the
majority of educated, intelligent Christian young
men are more willing to let the heathen be damned
than to let the treasures of the world go into other
hands? Alas, for some reason or other (I am not
going to question the reasons) God Himself may
look over all His church, and finding no volunteers,
may utter the pathetic cry, "Whom shall I send,
and who will go for Us?"
Now, brethren, if at any time the mission field
lacks workers (it is a sad thing that it should be so,
but yet so it is), should not the fact make each man
look to himself, and say, "Where am I? What posi-
tion do I occupy towards this work of God ? May
I not be placed just where I am because I can do
what others could not?"
Some of you young men especially, without ties
of family to hold you in this country, without a
large church around you, or having not yet plunged
into the sea of business, you, I say, are standing
where, in the ardor of your first love, you might .
fitly say, "Here am I." And if God has endowed
you with any wealth, given- you any talent, and
placed you in a favorable position, you are the man
who should say, "Perhaps I have come to the king-
dom for such a time as this ; I may be placed where
I am, on purpose that I may render essential help
to the cause of God. Here, at any rate, I am; I
feel the presence of the glorious God ; I see the
skirts of His garments as He reveals Himself to
me, I almost hear the rush of seraphic wings as I
perceive how near heaven is to earth, and I feel in
my soul I must give myself up to God. I feel in
my own heart my indebtedness to the Christ of God;
I see the need of the heathen, I love them for Jesus'
sake; the fiery coal is touching my lip even now;
here am I ! Thou hast put me where I am ; Lord,
take me as I am, and use me as Thou wilt." May
the divine Spirit influence some of you who greatly
love my Lord till you feel all this.
Then you observe that he makes a full surrender
of himself: "Here am I. Lord, I am what I am by
36
Thy grace, but here I am ; if I am a man of one
talent, yet here I am; if I am a man of ten, yet
here I am; if in youthful vigor, yet here I am; if
of maturer years, here I am. Have I substance?
Here I am. Do I lack abilities? ' Yet still I made
not my own mouth, nor did I create my infirmities ;
here I am. Just as I am, as I gave myself
up to Thy dear Son to be redeemed, so give
I myself up again to be used for Thy glory, because
I am redeemed and am not my own, but bought with
a price. Here I am."
Then came Isaiah's prayer for authority and
anointing. If we read this passage rightly, we shall
not always throw the emphasis on the last word,
"me." but read it also thus, "Here am I, send me."
He is willing to go, but he does not want to go
without being sent, and so the prayer is, "Lord, send
me. I beseech Thee of Thine infinite grace qualify
me, open the door for me and direct my way. I do
not need to be forced, but I would be commissioned.
I do not ask for compulsion, but I do ask for guid-
ance. I would not run of my own head, under the
notion that I am doing God service. Send me then,
O Lord, if I may go ; guide me, instruct me, prepare
me, and strengthen me." There is a combination
of willingness and holy prudence, "Here am I, send
me."
I feel certain that some of you are eager to go for
my Lord and Master wherever He appoints. Keep
not back, I pray you. Brother, make no terms with
God. Put it, "Here am I ; send me — where Thou
wilt, to the wildest region, or even to the jaws of
death. I am Thy soldier, put me in front of the
battle if Thou wilt, or bid me to lie in the trenches ;
give me gallantly to charge at the head of my regi-
ment, or give me silently to sap and mine the
foundations- of the enemy's fortress. Use me as
thou wilt ; send me, and I will go. I leave all else to
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Thee; only here I am, Thy willing servant, wholly
consecrated to Thee."
That is the right missionary spirit, and may God
be pleased to pour it out upon you all, and upon
His people throughout the world. To me it seems
that if a hundred were to leap up, and each one
exclaim, "Here am I ; send me," it would be no
wonder. By the love and wounds and death of
Christ, by your own salvation, by your indebted-
ness to Jesus, by the terrible condition of the
heathen, and by that awful hell whose yawning
mouth is before them, ought you not to say, "Here
am I, send me"?
The vessel is wrecked; the sailors are perishing;
they are clinging to the rigging as best they can;
they are being washed off one by one ! Good God,
they die before our eyes, and yet there is the life-
boat staunch and trim. We want men ! men to man
the boat ! Here are the oars, but never an arm to
use them! What is to be done? Here is the gal-
lant boat, able to leap from billow to billow, only
men are wanted! Are there none? Are we all
cravens ? A man is more precious than the gold of
Ophir. Now, my brave brethren, who will leap in,
and take an oar for the love of Jesus and yon dying
men? And ye brave women, ye have hearts like
that of Grace Darling, will ye not shame the lag-
gards, and dare the tempest for the love of souls
in danger of death and hell ? Weigh my appeal in
earnest and at once, for it is the appeal of God. Sit
down and listen to that sorrowful yet majestic
demand, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for
Us?" and then respond, "Ready, aye ready; ready
for anything for which our Redeemer calls us."
Let those who love Him, as they perceive all around
them the terrible token of the world's dire need,
cry in agony of Christian love, "Here am I ; send
A Thousand Miles Through Sinkiang
From the journal of Mr. GEORGE W. HUNTER. Tihwafu, Sinkiang
SINKIANG, or Chinese Turkestan, reaches from
the northwestern part of China right into the
heart of Asia. Its large area is thinly popu-
lated by many diverse peoples, immigrant' Chinese,
Turkis, Kirghiz, Mongols, Tongans, Noghais,
Kalmuks, Manchus, Russians, and many more or
less wild tribes of Quzaqs.
To reach these peoples extensive and strenuous
journeys have to be taken by the missionaries from
their centre at the capital, Urumchi (called by the
Chinese, Tihwafu). Mr. George Parker was the
first China Inland Mission worker to enter the
province, which he did in 1888, traveling as far as
Kuldja (Hi), while Mr. George Hunter commenced
his definite work for this long-neglected region in
1905. In 1914, Mr. P. C. Mather joined Mr. Hunter,
coming out into Sinkiang in company with Mr.
Arthur Moore, the latter subsequently returning to
his station, Lanchow, Kansu, but using his long
journey to distribute some 50,000 cash worth of
tracts.
Broadcasting the Word of God, with only an
occasional opportunity to water the seed thus sown,
seems to be the only means of sowing in this diffi-
cult field. Prayer, indeed, is needed that a harvest
may be reaped from this precarious planting.
"With God all things are possible."
Mr. Hunter and Mr. Mather with a Turki servant,
made a journey from Urumchi (Tihwafu), to
Kuldja (Hi), a Chinese town on the Russian border,
and back, last summer. It was almost five years
since Hi had been visited, the journey on that occa-
sion having been by the main road. The present
journey was made by "the mountain road" as they
wished to meet as many Quzaqs and Mongols as
possible. The route is shown by the line of x's on
the accompanying map, the upper line representing
the outgoing journey, and triangular marks locating
their camps along the way. A day's journey was
usually about thirty miles, though extended some-
times by circumstances to forty or even more, and
sometimes shortened by steep ascents or other
difficulties.
MARCH. 1920
Mr. Hunter records:
The first day we traveled about thirty miles and
camped on the stony banks of the T'eotuen river. By the
time we had got our ponies unloaded, tent pitched, food
cooked and star-grass cut for the ponies, it was dark and
we were all quite tired. Owing to the rain the river was
in flood and the water very thick with mud, so that our
rice was very yellow and our tea looked more like cocoa
and tasted like mud.
Next morning two Tongan carters seeming rather
interested to see foreigners camping out in such a place,
stopped their cart and spoke to us. They said they had
people at home who could read, so we gave them
Chinese gospels and tracts. Later on, two other Tongans
helped us to find a place to cross the flooded river, which
after several trials we managed safely. We paid our
guides and gave them two gospels. Still later in the day
we arrived at the banks of the Changchi river, which
being in flood looked very forbidding. However, two
camel owners, riding horses, were picking out a safe
place for their camels to cross and served as excellent
guides. As some of the camel men could read we gave
them gospels and tracts.
The following day we made about twenty miles, camp-
ing near a farmer family named Ch'en, with whom we
stayed last year on the trip to Altai. They received us
very kindly. The name of the place is "Clear Water
River" and we were glad it was true to its name.
We went on to the city of Manass and sold gospels
and tracts. On the Lord's Day we walked a few miles
out into the country to some Quzaq tents, preaching to
the people, leaving Quzaq gospels with them.
We crossed the Kweitong river and came on to Hsihu,
quite an important place at the junction of three roads,
with a mixed population of Chinese, Tongans, Turkis,
Mongols and Quzaqs. Camping a few miles or so outside
the'city near some Russian Quzaqs, some soldiers visited
our tents and we gave them gospels and tracts.
After a visit from a Mongol lama and some Quzaqs,
June 23rd was spent street preaching and bookselling.
Two friendly soldiers visited our tent. One, a Chihli
man, said his mother was a church member. The other
a Shansi man, said his mother was a member of Pastor
Hsi's church; he also told us how Mr. Hudson Taylor
had visited his house and taken hold of him by the hand
and exhorted him to repent. We also exhorted them
and gave them gospels and tracts.
We met a Tongan, who had traveled a great deal,
having visited India and Arabia. He knew Arabic, so we
gave him an Arabic gospel. He vividly recalled the
wonders of western civilization — the high buildings, elec-
tric light, gas, water, steamboats, steam engines, motor
cars, etc. He said, "When I tell the people here about
nfirm all
I say."
We also met a Russian Noghai, who told us something
of the terrible things the Bolshevists were doing in
Russia. He bought some of our Turki books.
Traveling to Sikoshu. we camped on a damp, marshy
meadow, north of the village, where Mongols were pass-
ing backwards and forwards, some of whom visited our
camp. Some friendly Russian Quzaqs also brought us
some milk. This district belongs to the popular (Mongol)
Prince Biyer, who was educated in Japan and at present
is in Peking.
June 27th, we went on about forty-seven miles to a
place near Toto. This is one of the hardest parts of the
summer road to Hi, on account of the horseflies and mos-
quitoes. The former begin to calm down at sunset, but
then the armies of gnats and mosquitoes come out in
full force, so that there is no rest day or night for man
or beast.
We went on (the 28th) to an inn at the edge of a hot
sandy desert. We rested during the day and towards
evening set off to cross the forty-mile desert, as it is'
almost impossible to cross during the daytime in the
summer on account of the heat and horseflies. We had
not gone far before we met an old man, utterly exhausted
and parched with thirst. A Tientsin man who had a
gourd of water held it to the old man's lips and he gulped
the water down most eagerly. After a hot, close night
we were glad when morning broke and we sighted
Kingho. We camped near the river over the Lord's Day.
Soldiers here were busy getting horses shod and pre-
paring to start for Hi as the Bolshevists were causing
trouble on the Russian Chinese frontier.
On Monday we spent most of the day preaching and
book-selling, then in the evening bought provisions and
prepared to start on our mountain journey.
Kingho river was in flood and almost uncrossable.
Going upstream and carefully noticing where it divided
into several branches we were able to cross safely. July
1st, we had a hard journey of about forty miles, first on
the main road, then across soft sand dunes, then along
the hard stony bed of the Achal river. There was very
little grass about here, so we pushed on until long after
dark, and became so hemmed in by steep rocks on one
side and the river on the other that we were obliged to
stop. We fastened the horses down with long ropes and
let them crop what grass they could find, which was very
scanty. By the time we had made our supper we were
completely fagged out, and all three of us fell asleep just
where we were, without pitching the tents or spreading
our beds or shackling the horses. We slept soundly until
daybreak, when we awoke rather cold but thankful to
see that none of our horses had been stolen.
CHINAS MILLIONS
Crossing the Achal river was not easy, as the river
was deep and swift and contained many stones, but we
managed it all right except that some of our stores and
clothing got slightly wet. We had to cross and recross
the river several times. About noon we arrived at the
junction of two roads where was a log cabin, a kind of
guardhouse, kept by a Mongol and his wife, who were
very kind to us.
In this district and near the Kash river are ten sumus
of Zungar Mongols (one sumu .has about a hundred
tents). They speak the Kalmuk dialect.
The Mongol at the log cabin invited us to stay with
him. We thanked him but pressed on higher up the
mountains and camped near the head of the pass. Close
by were forty-five Quzaq tents and five Mongol tents.
We preached to the Quzaqs and gave away gospels.
We had many visitors July 3rd, to whom we gave
away needles, thread and dried fruit in exchange for milk,
butter, etc. One little boy who could read- brought us
some milk and went away extremely delighted with his
gospel. Our servant was taken ill here, so we were
extra busy — gathering firewood, cooking, looking after
the ponies, and receiving visitors.
July 4tfi our servant was still ill. Several Quzaq and
Mongol visitors came. One old Quzaq woman came to
get a tooth pulled. On the Lord's Day (July 6th) we
visited Aljibar Zengkwi, the headman of the Quzaqs in
this district, who invited us into his large tent, the sides
of which were adorned with beautiful tapestry and the
floor covered with expensive rugs.
As we journeyed on towards Hi, July 9th, Aljibar
Zengkwi's son and some other Quzaqs escorted us part
of the way. There was a descent all the way to the river,
over hard, slippery, grey rocks, and later over red
granite rocks. We camped near some Quzaq farmers,
who were kind to us, bringing us fuel and milk, while
some Sarts made us a present of some "polu" — rice cooked
in fat and mixed with carrots.
Down a small river to the east of Mazar there were
many farms where the Quzaqs winter. These were now
empty, the people all being away in the mountains.
Having camped about ten miles from Hi, or Kuldja, we
left our servant in charge of the camp and walked part
of the way, riding the rest in a farmer's cart. We found
Hi very busy, indeed, with various kinds of people, Ton-
gans, Chinese, Turkis, Russians, Noghais, Kirghiz,
Quzaqs, Manchus, Sips, Soluen, Mongols, Kalmuks, and
Taranchi. On July 12th we struck camp and went into
the city. We stayed with a Taranchi mullah, who is
employed at the magistrate's yamen.
The Lord's Day, July 13th, we spent resting, starting
the next day by cart to the Hi Manchu city (Hueiuen),
about three miles west of Kuldja. When I was here last,
about five years ago, the city was well populated and very
busy, but now the population has greatly decreased.
There are many empty houses fall-
ing to ruin, and trade is dull. Mr. Lu,
an inquirer, who lives here, gave us a
hearty welcome and engaged a room
for us. We met several people whom
we knew.
July 16th, we went on five miles
further to Suitinghsien, another Hi
city, mostly occupied by Chinese Ton-
gans, Turkis, and Taranchi. Here we
sold out all the Chinese gospels we
had taken with us. A Mongol "Bud-
dha" called for some Mongol and
Tibetan gospels.
Having returned to our old quar-
ters at Kuldja, the mullah with whom
we were staying, told us the magis-
trate was very displeased with him
(for allowing us to stay on his prem-
ises) and requested us to go
over and see him. I went and
he treated me very rudely. He
also demanded. Mr. Mather's pres-
ence at the yamen, and said
"if he does not come right away I shall send men to fetch
him." Mr. Mather went along and showed his passport
and we told the magistrate how unreasonably he was
acting. The next day he paid us a friendly visit, evident-
ly trying to make amends for his rudeness. He told our
landlord to look after us well, and said, "If you require
any help send round to me and I will do what I can to
help you." He chatted awhile, then took his departure
and we went out street-preaching and bookselling.
While in Hi I was pleased to meet Abdul Kader, a
young Kashgarian with whom I became acquainted about
eight years ago while I was in Kashgar. His uncle, a
very wealthy man, is the largest leather manufacturer
in Kuldja. Abdul Kadar was educated abroad and speaks
English -and French. We also met a Mr. Wang, a
Chinese police sergeant, formerly an inquirer in Tihwafu.
That day, while selling a Turki book, a man came up
and declared that the book was a bad one. "Good or
bad," said the purchaser, "I'm going to buy one," and he
did. This is a most unusual stand for a Turki to take, for
as a rule they are easily influenced by other people.
Later on, Abdul Kadar and Sergeant Wang called t«
see us, and the Russian Consul invited us to dinner and
treated us very kindly indeed. Sergeant Wang invited
us to partake of a very nice Chinese meal. A young
Taranchi invited us to see a fine printing machine which
he had brought over from Yerkit, in Russia, just in time
Photograph by Mr. Arthur Moore
MARCH. 1920
to escape the ravages of the Bolsheviks. Before we left
the Russian Consul paid us a visit, and afterwards sent
us a present of a nice large cake. We were also invited
to dine with two Japanese officials who are residing in
Kuldja, one of whom can speak English.
On Monday morning, July 25th, we began preparing
for the return journey, and intending to return to
Tiwhafu by the southern mountain route we bought a
month's provisions. In the afternoon we loaded up our
ponies, said good-bye to our landlord and friendly neigh-
bors, came on three or four miles east of the city and
camped.
On July 30th we crossed the Kash river by a bridge
recently built by the Taranchi people, the old one being
washed away. We camped near some farms and a
Russian Kirghiz visited us.
After a detour northward into the mountains, in order
to avoid some steep, rocky places near the river, camp
was made amidst the rushes on the banks of the Ili river
where there were many mosquitoes.
Passing the junction of the Tigis and Kongus rivers
on August 1st, we experienced a hard, hot day, traveling
sixteen hours and covering between sixty-three and sixty-
four miles without seeing a single man or beast. We
journeyed on until midnight when we were cheered by the
sight of water and camped on the bank of the Kongus
river. Quite exhausted and parched with thirst we drank
almost a bucketful of cold water between the three of us.
I was very tired, indeed, so that I was not able to help
with the unloading of the ponies. Again we camped
amidst the rushes, a real hotbed of mosquitoes.
The next night we camped on the bank of a small
river called Turgun Usun, close by some Quzaq tents. It
was very hot and there were many mosquitoes. At mid-
night we awoke to find that one of our horses was
missing. We searched all the rest of that night and the
next day without finding him. We then moved our camp
about five miles further up the river, nearer to the
mountains, so as to escape the heat, the horseflies and
the mosquitoes, and strange to say pitched our tent next
to that of the man who had stolen our horse (though we
did not know it at the time).
A Sart farmer brought us word that he knew where
our horse was and would guide us, providing we gave him
five taels. Mr. Mather went with him and soon found
that he did not know really where the horse was, though
he knew of some people who had heard that the horse
had been found; but all asked for money before they
would tell. He did not give the money, but asked the
Sart to guide him to the tent of the Quzaq headman, who
sent out some men and soon had the horse brought in;
so Mr. Mather returned safely with it about ten at night,
after a very hard day's ride over rough mountain roads.
The next day, the Quzaq headman, Urus Bai, sent for
us, evidently afraid to let us go without satisfying him-
self as to our identity. We objected to taking a day's
journey back over the hard roads. The messenger then
said he would take the stolen horse back again. But we
refused to give it up.
They then gathered the neighboring Quzaqs, seized us
both, bound Mr. Mather with ropes, and proceeded to do
the same with me. We did not struggle in any way, but
on our consenting to go, we were loosed. I was really ill,
and Mr. Mather would not hear of my going, so taking
our Turki servant he set off with the men while I
remained and looked after the camp.
Happily, there were some Chinese officials collecting
customs about ten miles the other side of the headman's
tent, and Mr. Mather asked to be taken to them. These
apologized for the rough treatment we had suffered and
rebuked the headman. They also ordered the thief to be
arrested, taken to our tent and flogged publicly, while
the man who had ordered us to be bound was to be taken
to our tent and bound and beaten. Returning to camp,
the two Quzaqs acting as guides refused when it got dark
to go any farther, so Mr. Mather and the servant were
obliged to find the way as best they could. Happily the
horses remembered the way and I was very thankful
when I saw them arrive safely about midnight.
When Urus Bai, the Quzaq headfnan, sent round a
small official to carry out the punishment, a young, simple
lad was brought along, alleged to be the thief. Cross-
questioning him, we found that he was a servant of the
real thief and was to act as scapegoat. From the evi-
dence gathered, all agreed that the boy's master,
Kwanish Bai, was the thief. He was sent for and turned
out to be our near neighbor and the very man who had
taken a leading part and acted most energetically in
binding us. He confessed his guilt, took off his coat and
asked to be allowed to receive his beating.
"No," said we, "we will go by your own custom, that
when a thief steals a horse and is found out he must
refund four. Our stolen horse is now very thin, his back
very sore through the rough treatment he has under-
gone at your hands, and perhaps he will not hold out to
the end of our journey. However, we do not want
four horses, just give us one and that will be sufficient."
As soon as he heard this he flew into a rage and kicked
and flogged his servant boy for revealing him as the thief.
The boy had his own horse with him and the official
offered to give us that; but we refused it. So he returned
to his chief to report the matter to him, while we packed
up our things and continued our journey, thankful to get
away safely from such a wild place.
On August 8th, we were continuing our journey along
the banks of the Kongus river, where there were miles
and miles of apple forests. As the path often wound
among the trees, we just needed to lift up a hand, break
off a small bough and help ourselves to the apples. It
was rather early in the season, yet many of the apples
were fairly sweet and most refreshing.
Near the foot of the Narat Pass we met a very inter-
esting Quzaq, the son of an official. He can speak a
little Chinese and studies in Ili during the winter. The
young man ordered one of his servants to kill a kid and
dress it, and presented it to us to cook as we pleased.
He could read Quzaq very well and took a copy of Mark
with him.
On the Lord's Day, August 10th, several Quzaqs and
Kirghiz came to our tent and listened to the Gospel. Our
young friend also visited us and played on a guitar and
sang for us. We sang some Turki and English hymns
which he seemed to enjoy, for he asked for more, and
although the weather was cold and damp, he stayed until
it was almost dark.
The morning of August 11th was cold and misty.
Several people called for medicine and books. The wea-
ther clearing up a little, we crossed the Narat Pass and
camped on the bank of the upper Yoldus river. As we
looked back we saw we had just crossed the mountains
in time to avoid a storm, for snow was falling on the pass.
Leaving the Quzaq district we came among a Kalmuk
tribe of Mongols, whose headquarters are in the Kar-
ashar district, up the Yoldus river valley. There we're
many Mongol tents scattered about.
On August 13th, we had a long, hard day's journey of
about forty-seven or forty-eight miles, having to go on
until after dark before we could find a suitable place to
camp. For a day or so we journeyed on through
uninhabited country. At one very lonely spot I heard a
wolf howling quite close to our camp.
The Lord's Day, August 17th, found us resting not far
from sixteen Mongol tents. Some Mongols visited our
tent, also two Tongans who were collecting the horse
tax and had got into trouble, the Mongols threatening to
beat them. One of them asked us to help them. We
advised them not to fight but rather to report the matter
to their superiors. The tax is farmed out by the govern-
ment to a Tongan, who sends the other men to collect
as much as they can. This plan is a source of trouble and
danger also in Ili, where the taxes on timber, hides, etc.,
farmed out to Tongans, is such that timber is now six or
more times the price it used to be. A friendly shepherd
and his boy who brought us milk and butter, told us of
the horse tax trouble.
While crossing a mountain stream in which were many
large granite boulders, our mule fell and all three of us
had to jump into the water before we could get it on its
feet again. We were high up the mountain, and close
to the snow, so we had rather a cold journey that day.
But we came finally to a Government horse ranch, where
there were about four hundred ho'rses. We knew the
Mongol in charge, as he had visited our house last spring
in company with a Tibetan lama.
40
CHINAS MILLIONS
Again traveling a hard rocky road over high mountains
we camped near four Mongol tents in a place called Sharr
Keo, and the Mongols brought us milk and butter. The
next day, August 20th, we crossed the Sharr Davan pass,
a most difficult road over probably the highest mountain
we crossed this journey. After a" long steep descent we
camped in a Mongol farming district, and a Mongol
farmer came and helped us to shoe some of our ponies.
We gave him a gospel and some tracts. On this day the
road ran east for a short distance and then north, so
that we got a glimpse of the mountains of Urumchi from
our camp near some Turki shepherds.
Friday, August 22nd, the road was mostly downhill
and almost directly north, bringing us into the region of
pine trees and down to the farming district in the
Urumchi "South Mountains."
Saturday, August 2-3rd, Tongan farmer boys called for
gospels and tracts. We arrived at Urumchi (Tihwafu)
about four in the afternoon, glad to get our mail and
to find our servant had looked after thing well during our
absence. Altogether we were away seventy-five days and
journeyed over one thousand miles on horseback.
How God is Working Among the Tribes
From an address by Mr. A. G. NICHOLLS at an Annual Meeting in Melbourne
YUNNAN, one of the wildest and most backward
provinces in China, is the second largest in
the Republic but with a comparatively small
population — about twelve million. This province
has always been very difficult to work. The city of
Talifu was first opened to the preaching of the Gos-
pel in 1880, and yet in the year 1900 there were only
four baptized Christians in that city. During 1881
the provincial capital, Yunnanfu, was opened, and
yet in 1900 there were only three members in the
church, and not more than one hundred and fifty
Christians in the whole province.
This province was almost despaired of by all
missionary societies. But prayer was made for
Yunnan. Missionaries prayer and worked on,
bands of Christians in Australia, Canada, England
and the United States, met together for prayer that
God would move in that difficult province, and do a
new thing. And I want to tell how He answered
the prayers of His servants.
Three years after 1900 — that period of persecu-
tion — God arranged a meeting between a missionary
(the late James Adam) and a band of hunters .who
belonged to the Miao tribe, in the province of
Kweichow. They had been out on a hunting expe-
dition, and on their way home, tired and weary,
stayed at the village where this missionary was.
He shared his lunch with them, and preached the
good news of Jesus Christ. They believed, and
invited the missionary to visit them in their moun-
tain village. When they arrived home they told
their friends and neighbors about Jesus Christ. The
whole 'village believed— and now over six thousand
Miao have been baptized, and tens of thousands in
these districts have given up their idolatry and
superstitious ways and turned to God.
These Miao are a non-Chinese people. They
wear a distinctive dress, speak a different language,
and have customs totally different to the Chinese.
In 1904, this work spread nine days' journey
further west to Chaotong, where our friends of the
Bible Christian Missionary Society, now the United
Methodist Mission, are working. Two years later
it spread fifteen days' journey further west, to a
district three days' north of Yunnanfu, and God
called me from my work among the Chinese in
Yunnanfu to begin work amongst the Miao.
We were praying that God would move among
the Chinese, that He would begin at the top of the
ladder. But the Lord began with the lowest, the
poorest, and the most despised in southwest China.
So God uses the base things of the world, and
things that "are not."'
Practically no preparatory work had been done
among the Miao. In answer to the earnest and
persistent prayers of God's people, the Lord opened
the door, and we missionaries went in to reap the
harvests of golden grain ; and, dear friends, it is
the greatest privilege of my life to have a small
share in this work. God has answered your pray-
ers. And as you still pray, God will bless still
more abundantly.
These tribes have no idols nor temples, as the
Chinese have. They are animists, worshiping the
spirits of the mountains, trees and stones. They
use charms and lucky bags, and many wear rings
around their necks. When we commenced work
amongst the Miao, they would take us out to the
back of the village, and point out the sacred tree
that had been worshiped for generations. The
whole village would gather round, and we would
sing a song of praise together. Then the mission-
aries would lead in prayer, asking for strength and
blessing for the people. After prayers, two or three
young men with sharp axes would soon have the
tree levelled to the ground, and the sacred stone
would be hurled down into the torrent below.
Thus these people would break with their super-
stitious ways. Scores of brothels were demolished.
Hundreds gave up whisky-drinking; tobacco pipes
were smashed. The}- turned from the immoral to
the clean. They had been all their lifetime subject
to bondage, but we were able to go to them with
this glorious message, "The Son of God was mani-
fested' that He might destrov .the works of the
Devil."
At the beginning of the work, we worshiped in
the open air, on a hillside, or on a large piece of
ground in the centre of the village, but by and by
people built chapels. It was three years before we
examined the first candidates for baptism, and it
was a very glad day when that first band, of over
four hundred men and women, was baptized in the
presence of nine hundred worshipers. Each year
since, there have been baptisms. Were they per-
secuted? Of course they were. Some were
whipped, others imprisoned, and man)- fined. The
great majority stood steadfast, their hearts filled
MARCH. 1920
with a greater love for Jesus. The work is spread-
ing, and could be greatly extended, but alas, the
laborers are few.
One Lord's Day when we had the joy of bap-
tizing ninety-four Hwa Miao, there was a young
girl of eighteen years who had given her young,
fresh life to Jesus, saved from the sins of her
parents, and beginning her Christian life possessing
Gospels and hymnbook. Next to her was an old
white-haired grannie of eighty years of age, who
had walked forty miles to service — one of God's
own children, a lover of Jesus Christ. As she was
baptized, there was a great sob in our hearts, and
a feeling of shame. Why had that old woman to
wait until she was nearly eighty years of age
before she heard of redeeming love? It was
because some of you old people did not go out to
Yunnan and tell her about Jesus.
After their baptism, these ninety-four persons,
together with four hundred members of the church,
remembered the Lord's death, and as they took the
little bits of buckwheat cake, and sipped the tea,
one felt glad and thankful for a small share in this
glorious work.
We sang that morning the Miao love-song,
"There is a fountain filled with blood," and it was
thrilling to hear the people singing these grand
old • hymns, which have brought such comfort to
our hearts. They love to sing, and we want them to
truly worship as they sing. My dear friends, there
are thousands of grannies and grandfathers, and
multitudes of grandchildren in China, who are wait-
ing to hear the good news. "Who, who will go,
salvation's story telling?"
The need is appalling. We missionaries are
thankful for this wonderful movement in the south-
western provinces, glad that during the past fifteen
years 15,000 of these tribespeople have been bap-
tized; but we are always looking toward the next
village, always have an eye upon the next town and
province". There are still fifty or sixty tribes in
Yunnan without a knowledge of the Gospel. From
the Burmese frontier right across the south of Yun-
nan there is the Shan tribe, with an estimated popu-
lation of four millions, and not one worker among
them. Brethren, these things ought not to be!
Christian women, covet the title of a missionary's
mother ! Christian men, covet the title of a mis-
sionary's father! And let us who know the Lord
Jesus as our Savior, oh ! let us pray the Lord of the
harvest to send forth laborers. We ask you to
help us in prayer, not only for Yunnan, but for the
whole of China ; thus you will share in winning
this great people for Jesus.
Is Spiritual Starvation Less Tragic ?
By Mr. C. G. COWMAN, Taku, Yunnan
SEVEN miles or so from Taku was a large family
of Chinese of twenty-two members. Recently
there was an epidemic of typhus fever and now
eight members alone remain. Typhus has been
very common this year, due doubtless to the famine
conditions, of which you may have heard. Through
• Christian charity, thousands of lives have been
41
saved from starvation in the Chaotong and VVeining
districts.
In spite of all that could be done, many have died
of starvation. The following tale is not unusual.
In the Hsinshao district, at a certain horse mar-
ket, a Chinese father having nothing to eat in the
home, started out to search for food, promising to
be back that night.
When he failed to return, the children asked the
mother why the father did not return, and she
cheerfully put them off, saying, "Don't fear, he will
be back to-morrow all right with something to eat."
When the next evening came and the father had
not returned, the children, gaunt and crying with
hunger, renewed their inquiries, and were reas-
sured that he certainly would be back to-morrow.
The next day at evening, the hungry, crying
children once more asked why their father had not
returned. The mother still kept up a brave exterior
and encouraged them with the hope of the father's
speedy return. She went upstairs and immediately
committed suicide by hanging to a beam.
A few moments later, the father returned, having
found half a bushel of rice, and asked the children
where their mother was.
They replied, "She just went upstairs a moment
ago."
He said, "Run and call her to hurry down and
cook some rice for us all."
One of the children ran up stairs, only to return
with the horrible news of the mother's suicide.
The father and husband was so 'stricken with
grief that he immediately followed the example of
his wife, and the dead bodies of the parents hung
from the same beam, leaving only the poor weeping
children.
You are moved by this tragedy. And well you
may be. But what of the spiritual tragedies occur-
ring every day in heathen China? The million a
month who die without Christ in China, die of
spiritual starvation!
Does that appeal to you? If it does, pray anew
with us that the Lord of the harvest may speedily
send forth more laborers into the harvest field.
And if you pray thus. He may send YOU.
A Forerunner of Evangelists
By Mr. JOHN YORKSTON, Kopu, Kweichow
MR. and Mrs. Page are returning home on
account of Mrs. Page's ill health. In suc-
ceeding them we trust the Lord will use us
as He manifestly used them. Just before Mr. Page
left he had the privilege of baptizing 154 men and
women.
Among these men was one whom Mr. Page
pointed out as having done a real work for God.
He was not a paid preacher, but having no depend-
ents he would go to a village, collect a crowd and
really interest them in the Gospel. Mr. Page would
then send an evangelist along to further teach the
people, but Mr. Joseph would move on to pastures
new, interest another village, have another evangel-
ist sent after him, and move on again. So the
Word spread.
42
CHINA'S MILLIONS
The In(n)s and Outs of a Superintendent's Journey
From a letter by Rev. WILLIAM TAYLOR, Kiukiang, Kiangsi
ON a long journey down to the east, southeast,
and south, and then to the centre, of Kiangsi,
I visited twenty centres including Tungsiang,
Kinki, Kienchang, Nanfeng, Ningtu, Kanchow, Sin-
feng, Lungchuan, and Kianfu. It was nice to see
something of the good work of our associates, the
German Alliance workers. God has blessed and
used them, though they have had many difficulties
and have been very short of funds.
I passed through some very beautiful and rough
country among the hills and mountains. Good
weather was granted me, and at one time I was on
the road eight days out of ten, from dawn till
dusk, with short stops at wayside inns for a little
simple food.
The autumn foliage was beautiful — the bright red
leaves of the tallow tree, the bright yellow ones
of the paint tree, with the dark needles of the firs,
the shining leaves of the camphor tree, and the
feathery bamboo, covering many of the steep
rocky hills. In some places, too, the camelia was a
mass of white bloom. The nuts of this common
tree are much used for oil which is sold for lighting
and cooking purposes.
I took notes, of one of the inns I was in. It was
twenty feet wide at the front, in appearance an
ordinary shop, having a small counter and shelves,
a mud floor, but everything dingy, dirty, and dis-
orderly. It extended back about a hundred feet,
with one or two wee skylights — really glass tiles.
Beyond the shop part was a large, open, combined
kitchen-dining-sitting-washing room and passage,
some ten by forty feet, with three rooms off it. At
the back, the building was wider, with three
upstair bedrooms over a wine and beancurd store-
room (part of the inn). My room was one of the
upstairs ones, about ten by fourteen feet, with
three beds close together, an old worn table, a
wooden bench, and a small window with upright
wooden bars some two inches apart, without glass,
but having a wooden shutter inside. The view
from the window included a large fine tree (Chinese
maple or camphor), some wild flowers on a hedge,
fields of ripening rice, backed by beautiful hills
and blue evening sky — perhaps the beauty of it
seemed the greater because of the dirt around me!
The walls of my room were mud, unplastered ;
the ceiling was unpainted and grimy; the rafters
and tiles were festooned with cobwebs full of dust ;
the bed, one inch boards, six by three and a half
feet, on trestle benches about two feet high, was
strewn with a thin coating of discolored straw
(generally changed once a year, at the New Year)
and covered by a ragged, soiled reed mat. I carry
a little bundle of bedding, weighing some twenty
pounds and a small mosquito netting as mosquitos
abound in Kiangsi from May till November. The
wooden door of the room locked with an iron hasp,
but only on the outside — in case one goes out. I
secured it on the inside by placing a bench against
it.
The inn charges (in this case) were six cents for
a rice and taro supper and bed space, three cents
extra for two eggs, and two cents more for boiling
water to drink and hot water for a sponge bath.
After supper I read a chapter of Acts with my
coolie (a Christian's son) and had prayer with him.
The soldier escort (who kept near me with his
rusty rifle and a belt of old cartridges) sent by the
Chinese authorities, without our asking or desiring
him, sat beside the coolie as we read, quite respect-
ful, and stood when we stood for prayer. Then I
retired, with matches handy to re-light the wee
rushlight hanging on the wall, should rats or any-
thing else need attention — sometimes the rats eat
or drink the oil in the open iron saucer of the rush
lamp !
It was full moon, or near to it, and the moon-
light shining in at the wee window made the room
look better.
I arise before daylight, get my things together
for the coolie to carry, arouse the chairmen, and we
start off at break of day, on among the hills whose
tips are soon gleaming in the morning sun, up long
hillsides clothed with trees and flowers and rising
far above" the pretty valleys, down by rushing
streams, and further on through rice fields and
among farm houses where women are working with
the men as they cut the ripe rice and beat it out
(right in the field) into wooden troughs. We pass
many water wheels, ten to thirty feet in diameter,
used for hulling rice and lifting water to irrigate
the fields. Large flocks of waddling ducks are met.
hatched out by incubation which has been known
to the Chinese for centuries. We pass goats, cattle,
water buffaloes, geese and the ever present black
and white pig.
I much enjoyed some days with Mr. and Mrs.
Tyler, in our old and loved station, Kianfu, where
we were for over ten years, and where I baptized
most of the first hundred and fifty 'converts. The
new church was prettily decorated with bamboos
and flowers for a welcome to me, the assembled
school children sang, some spoke, and I replied. A
feast followed at which some hundred and forty sat
down with me, all the expense being met by the
Chinese.
The Christians at Kianfu have given an extra gift
this year, to meet half the total expense of all the
support of their Chinese workers and also that of
the boarding school, thus freeing Mission funds for
use in more needy places.
This is evidence of the growth and rootedness for
which we give thanks. Yet, the need of men and
women of experience and spiritual discernment, is
very great, for China is still very open for Christian
work. There seems a peculiar willingness to listen
to our message, and generally in a sympathetic
way.
MARCH, 1920
Photograph by Mr. Robert Powell
A New Idol in Tiehshan
By Miss ROSE M. LINDESTROM. Yangkow, Kiangsi
TIEHSHAN is a little Chinese village among hills
covered with bamboo trees. Wherever one
looks the hills rise up, one above another, with
indescribable beauty. I never go there but my
heart is filled with wonder at the greatness of God.
Many a time, as I have climbed up some high
hill to the home of a church member, I have stopped
and looked down at Tiehshan lying at the foot of
the hills. And yet as I looked, I realized the sin
and superstition below, and wondered how people
who saw the works and wonders of God, as they
did, could bow down to worship idols of wood and
stone.
Going up the hill to-day with my evangelist to
visit a member, I stopped many times to look at
the beauty around me. I exclaimed to my evange-
list, "How beautiful are the things God makes !
See that hill, and the one beyond, and those rice
fields below. Oh, how all tell of the love of God for
man, and of His infinite greatness !"
Then my evangelist pointing, said, "Do you see
that hill? A few weeks ago a very strange thing
happened there. In Tiehshan, on the main street, in
the next store to Tsao Hsiang-ti, the wooden-leg-
ged member of our church, lived an old man of
eighty-two years. In all his affairs he had been
very upright and honest. When he worked for
people (for he was a tailor by trade), he would
only take a certain price per day, and never stole
people's cloth. Every day he would spend a certain
amount on oil and incense to burn to the gods of
Buddhism, for he was very devout.
"A few weeks ago he had a vision, in which he
was told to go to the top of a hill, and after seven
days, his spirit would be absorbed into Buddha and
his body would be made into an idol by the people.
But scarcely had he gone up there to sit and wait
for death than people became interested and went
up to see him. When the news spread, people from
all the surrounding country came to see and wor-
ship him, many prostrating themselves on the
ground at every three steps until they reached the
top of the hill where he was. There they fell before
him and worshiped him, bringing their requests,
whether for healing or other things.
"But as the seven days passed and he did not die.
the people went to the temple to ask the reason for
this. The answer was, Tt is because too many peo-
ple have come to look at and worship him. He
must wait another seven days, and his spirit will
be absofbed into the spirit of Buddha.'
"Meanwhile, people began to get ready to make
his body into an idol. The lime and the barrel in
which his body was to be placed were prepared.
Three hundred dollars was collected to buy his body
from his family. But the family were not willing
to accept it ; they wanted to make him an idol
themselves and get the money of the worshipers.
"Days went by, and still he did not die. The
people continued to come and worship before him.
Several with diseases made their vows before him.
and he undertook to heal them by giving them
some of his tea to drink.
"Still he did not die, and his own people became
angry, because they wanted to make money
through him. Then after twenty days, in a village
five miles from here, a woman who is a very strict
and constant vegetarian, had a dream. She was told
to go to a certain hill, where there was an old man
who was expecting to be deified, that she should tell
him to come down and not sit there any longer as
too many people had come to see him and had
broken the charm. So she asked her way to Tieh-
shan, found the hill and went up. She fell down
and worshiped him, gave him the offerings that she
had brought, and said, T am a vegetarian and I have
been told to tell you to come down from the hill.
You cannot be absorbed into Buddha at the pres-
ent. In your former life I was your wife.' So he
came down, early one morning, and was received
by crowds of people who worshiped him as a divin-
ity. Mr. U and I here at the Jesus Hall prayed
44
CHINAS MILLIONS
hard that he would not die, for had he died crowds
would have believed in him and many would have
been injured by the devil."
As he told me this story, I stood gazing over the
hill. Then I said to the evangelist, "Where is he
now ?"
He said he was staying in a temple on this hill,
and asked, "Would Miss 'Lin' like to go
and see him?"
I said, "Yes."
So after visiting our church member at
the top of the hill, we went on to this
temple. It was a beautiful spot — a
natural cave in a rock. But oh, how the
beautiful creations of God are turned
into works of Satan in this land of dark-
ness ! All around stood idols, in all their
grimness, with a table in front of each
in which stood bowls of incense burned
by some poor darkened Chinese seeking
peace and help. Each idol had a booth
of its own curtained in with red curtains.
There was nothing beautiful about them.
They were hideous. But what attracted
me was the old man sitting there.
He rose up to greet us when we came,
and I turned to my evangelist saying, "Is
this the man?"
He answered, "Yes."
What I saw was an old man of eighty, dressed
in a Buddhist robe, with a little blue cap on his
head, his grey hair hanging in a queue. He had a
kindly face and eyes that showed a longing for what
he himself knew not.
He received us with all the Chinese etiquette and
.asked us to sit down. After a few polite questions,
my evangelist began to question him and preach to
him, telling him what he lacked was the Lord
Jesus, and how without Him he could never get to
heaven.
"Oh, yes, I have heard the doctrine before, but I
can't go to the Jesus Hall. The people would laugh
at me."
But after the way was explained, our evangelist
told him to pray and say, "Chu Ie-su Chui o" (that
is, Lord Jesus save me) and he showed a great
deal of interest, asking again and again how to
say it, and repeating the words, "Chu Ie-su Chui o."
As he kept repeating, over and over, these words
they made a deep impression on me and I cried to
the Lord, "O Lord Jesus, make him mean it !"
The last I saw of that old man was when he
stood in the doorway of the temple in his Buddhist
robes and bowed goodbye to us. It was a sad
picture, this man who had lived a good life in the
eyes of the Chinese and so near the borderland,
and yet on his way to destruction, missing that for
which he had lived. Yet the story of Jesus had
been brought to him and who knows but that the
words, "Jesus save me," as they came from his
lips were recorded in heaven.
I think of him as I sit here and gaze out on the
hills we visited this morning. There a man is long-
ing for heaven and missing it. Here, in the valley,
are many who through him are going to be lost,
for I see a vision of another idol added to that
temple and men and children, old and young, going
up to bow down before it, burning their incense,
and making their vows. They will be hopelessly
groping, for there is no light there. The other
idols will be there as grim as ever, but the old man
in the Buddhist robe will be missing. The new idol?
— yes, he was once a man in Tiehshan.
*j*tfWt\*r" m
Why Medical Workers are Few
From a note in "Medical Missions at Home and Abroad"*
IN THE year 1914, the first year of the War, the
number of medical missionaries holding British
degrees was 451. In this year, 1920, the number
has fallen to 368, a decrease of no less than eighty-
three.
At first sight this is rather staggering, and the
question arises: How has this very. grievous dimi-
*This periodical published in London, England, under-
took in its issue for January, 1920, to list the medical
missionaries (in all fields) holding British degrees or
diplomas. In this list our Mission was represented as
follows :
CHINA INLAND MISSION — 15
Guinness, G. W., M.B., B.C. Cantab., Kaifengfu, Honan.
Gibson, D. M., M.B.. B.S. Lond., Kaifengfu, Honan.
McDonald, Miss Jessie, M.D., Toronto, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.,
Kaifengfu, Honan.
King, G. E., M.B., Ch.B.Edin., Lanchowfu, Kansu.
Parrv, Robert C, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Lanchowfu, Kansu.
Carr, J. C, M.D.Edin.. Pingvangfu, Shansi.
Hoyte, S., M.B., B.S.Lond., Pingyangfu, Shansi.
Hogg, Alfred, M.D., C.M.Abd., Chefoo.
Tudd, Fred H., M.B., B.C. Cantab., Jaochow, Kiangsi.
Parrv, H. L., M.R.C.S.. L.R.C.P., Chungking, Szechwan.
Thompson, Mrs. H. G., M.B., B.S.Lond., . Suitingfu,
Szechwan.
Watney, Miss Lillian, M.B., B.S.Lond., Suitingfu, Sze-
chwan.
Taylor, F. H„ M.D.Lond., F.R.C.S., C. I. M., Shanghai.
Wilson, W., M.B., C.M.Edin., (At home).
Walker, R. N„ M.B., Ch.B.Edin., Chinese Labor Corps,
France.
Holding other degrees — 4
Anderson, John A., M.D., U.S.A., Taichowfu, Chekiang.
Anderson, Mrs., M.D., U.S.A., Taichowfu, Chekiang.
Keller, Frank A., M.D., U.S.A., Changsha, Hunan.
Fish, E. S., M.D.. Toronto, Anshunfu, Kweichow.
MARCH. 1920
45
nution of living and active medical mission workers
been brought about ?
Two causes, both of them immediately related to
the War, explain by far the largest portion of the
decrease : —
1. Both on the field and on the sea a number of
medical missionaries have, during the War, yielded
up their lives. The need of medical men to tend
the wounded drew quite a large number of 'medi-
cal missionaries into War service, and its unavoid-
able risks. Further, during the five years of the
War, there have been what one might call the nor-
mal amount of deaths and retirements, possibly in
these years an abnormal amount, from climatic and
other diseases. The filling-up of these gaps caused
by death and retirements has during these five years
been an impossibility, partly because all available
men were absorbed by government for War service,
and partly because of the ever-growing restric-
tions on travel, restrictions which even now are
still in considerable force.
2. Now that the War is over, it may be asked why
the vacancies are not being more rapidly filled up.
Again, the exigencies of the War are to blame. It
seemed right to the government to insist that all
medical students who were not closing up their
studies and preparing for final examinations should
pass into War service as officers or privates in the
fighting line. The consequence to-day is that,
though a great number of men are now crowding
our medical schools and our medical missionary
institutes, it will inevitably take a number of years
before these commencing students are ready to fill
up the ranks.
We put down to the War, then, the immediate
burden of responsibility for the great diminution
in our ranks. Even before the War, however, an
element was at work which was acting disastrously
on missionary interest, and there is no evidence that
it is passing away. The doctrine of Evolution and
the "Higher Criticism" are, in all the churches, more
and more sapping the confidence of men in the
Word of God. They affect student life, perhaps,
more than any other circle, and their influence is
one of the unhealthiest signs of the present times.
The "Higher Criticism" had its origin in Germany,
and its fruits there have been disastrous enough ;
but it has spread from Germany to Great Britain,
and to America, and it is doing a deadly work
among our youth. The medical mission cause, like
all other forms of church life, is suffering from it.
A Closed Hospital
From a letter of Dr. E. S. FISH of Anshunfu, Kweichow
IT has been a long time since I wrote you, but I
have been so shorthanded, in an ever-increasing
work, that my letter writing has been reduced
to a minimum.
If you were surprised to know of me being in
this country again, I think I can say that I, even
yet, can scarcely realize it. Up till within a very
short time of my actual setting out on the journey,
nothing was farther from my mind.
It was on Christmas morning that 1 arrived at
Seattle. I have been here (at home in Wisconsin)
for almost three weeks. For one week, however,
I was ill in bed and under a doctor's care. But I an.
glad to be up once more and although 1 do feel a
bit run down I shall hope soon to be quite well
again.
As soon as I get a bit rested up, I want to get
busy in post graduate study, for time is surely on
the wing and I do not want to be away from my
work too long.
It makes me sick at heart whenever I think of it !
The little hospital where I have worked these years
and where we have seen so many tokens of our
Father's blessing, is closed now — medicines packed
away, windows nailed up — because there is no one
to carry it on.
I have received a number of invitations to hold
meetings in cities and towns in these parts, and I
would value an interest in your prayers that the
Lord may guide very definitely, step by step.
The Delayed Opening of Jaochow
Hospital*
By Mrs. F. H. JUDD. Jaochow. Kiangsi
AFTER all the alterations and delays attending
our return from furlough, we arrived at
Shanghai in March, 1919, only to be asked to
go to Chefoo to relieve Dr. Hogg for a much needed
rest and change. We felt it was God's will for us to
comply in spite of the crying ne.ed of our station,
Jaochow ; and although we had not dreamed of such
a thing, we are, after all, very thankful that God
arranged that we should spend our first summer
back in China under such favorable circumstances.
It is truly gracious of Him!
Now we go forward to Jaochow to a stiff task.
Will you, in prayer, make a special request for
workers for Jaochow? Miss Aplin came to the
coast ill with sprue and will go on furlough as soon
as passage can be obtained. Mr. Ambler has been
ill up on Ruling this summer and is far from strong.
So we shall be three more or less broken down
' workers for a hospital with sixty beds, all the
church work, five or six outstations, with one
Chinese pastor who is now ageing, and a young
Chinese doctor.
I must confess the prospect is rather appalling,
but "God is able !" We are looking to Him to under-
take for us. At the same time we also believe the
home churches have a responsibility, and so we
would ask prayer that God will thrust forth lab-
orers into His harvest field, especially medical
workers and nurses, and that we .may, ere long,
have a medical colleague and a capable nurse.
*Dr. and Mrs. Judd went home to England for needed
furlough in 1915. The remaining foreign doctor left in
1918, and as Dr. Judd's return was delayed by ill-health
and other circumstances the hospital has latterly been
closed except for dispensary work undertaken by Mr.
Ambler (see "China's Millions" for August, 1919). ■
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Editorial Notes
MR. HOSTE, who was expected on this side of
the Atlantic early in the year, had on account
of his health to postpone his sailing and take a
period of rest on the south coast of England. He
is now better and plans to reach Canada late this
month on his wav to China.
Rev. F. A. Steven was taken very ill at his home
in London, Ont., about the middle of February.
Great anxiety was felt and much prayer was offered
for his recovery. A daughter was ill in the home
at the time and Mrs. Steven was just recovering
from influenza. Mr. Steven steadily improved for
a couple of weeks, but later was reported as again
suffering acutely. We bespeak the prayers of our
readers that the Lord's will may be done regarding
his restoration to that valued ministry in the Mis-
sion by which he is so widely known.
Late in February, Mrs. Henry O'Brien passed
away at her home in Toronto. She was deeply
interested in missionary work, although failing
health latterly prevented her taking an active part.
We rejoice in the thought that the weariness of
earthly suffering is over and that she has entered
into the joy of her Lord. At the same time we
would express our warmest sympathy to her hus-
band and family. Mr. O'Brien has closely linked
himself to the work of the China Inland Mission
by many years of earnest and esteemed service as
a member of the North American Council.
The circle of the Mission's North American
Council has again been broken by the unexpected
removal of Dr. J. McP. Scott, whose death from
pneumonia occurred on February 25th. For thirty-
three years Dr. Scott has been pastor of St. John's
Presbyterian Church in Toronto, first taking charge
when it was a small mission chapel, continuing with
it through all its growth in a ministry of staunch
adherence to the faith and of marked spirituality.
Not only did he himself make St. John's stand forth
as a place where the Truth was preached, but he
was ever on the alert for men with a true message
to whom he could open his pulpit for an added
blessing to his people and to the city at large. The
missionary interest of his church was strong and
many from it have gone to the foreign field. Dr.
Scott became a member of the China Inland Mission
Council in 1917 and has been one of the most
esteemed speakers at the Niagara Conference. We
would ask prayer on behalf of the stricken wife
and son, the bereaved congregation and the dimin-
ished council.
"We need more workers," is the constant refrain
of our missionary correspondents. Again and again
we pass on this call through "China's Millions."
But we wonder if its repetition is making callous
otherwise tender hearts, or if the very extent and
seriousness of the need make people hesitate to
give a hand. In a small community a case of need
finds ready neighbors, but in a great city the very
multiplicity of cries sends people on their way
arguing to themselves that personally they can do
nothing. Ten or fifteen years ago news of great
loss of life harrowed our very souls — can we ever
forget how the heart of the world sank with the
Titanic ! — but now we gaze at the figures of war
losses with but little emotion, and read of Armenian
massacres, in our morning papers, with momentary
distress, but without disturbing the enjoyment of
our breakfasts. In the mercy of God, man was
given a skin to keep his contact with the world
from being constant pain, but the Creator did not
purpose to make him immune to the pricks of sin-
sprung thorns and thistles or insensible to the touch
of suppliant hands. God wants us to feel some
things. Is not the call of the perishing heathen one
of these?
The hospital with medicines packed away and
windows boarded up (referred to on page 45)
vividly emphasizes the critical need of the medical
work of the China Inland Mission. Two others of
our Mission hospitals are closed for lack of doctors,
others are greatly hampered by having only one,
so that certain operations cannot even be attempted.
Yet the access which medical work gives in China
among a suffering and "medicine-loving people"
brings great spiritual opportunity through this ser-
vice. While we must needs put down to the war
some of the immediate lack of medical mission-
aries, it seems that many of our institutions of
medical training have an atmosphere which
quenches the desire for such work. In spite of this,
let us pray that men of faith will be raised up for
this important service.
"Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick. . . .
thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9: 2). Medi-
cal missions are first for the soul. It was a surprise
to the scribes to find that Jesus paused in the act of
healing to attend to the sins of a sufferer. Helpless
as was the one "borne of four," he had a deeper
need than to be rid of his palsy. It was neither he
nor the ones who brought him in faith who thought
it irrelevant and blasphemous for the Savior to talk
of sins being forgiven, before working a physical
recovery. Where faith is lacking there is apt to be
more talk of the medical aspect of the case than of
the spiritual need of the man. But our Lord here
states the great purpose of medical missions. It
was not to show His skill of healing, not to demon-
strate the brotherhood of man, but to show to un-
believing ones "that the Son of Man hath power
to forgive sins." A doctor who heals in the name
of human compassion and the advancement of
science, relieving great suffering and accomplishing
wonderful cures, may indeed do "a man's work."
and surely has his reward. But the Christian phy-
sician or surgeon who heals in order that while
doing it he may make men know of the power of
the Son of Man to forgive sins, is doing a work for
Christ, and verily his reward will not be of man
but of God.
MARCH. 1920
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Pray for the seed sown broadcast
in Sinkiang and other difficult fields
(page 36).
Pray on for God's blessing upon the
work among the tribespeople (p. 40).
Pray for more laborers, not only
for Yunnan, but for the whole of
China, where millions are dying of
"spiritual starvation" (pp. 41 and 40).
Praise God for the tribespeople who
have heard the Gospel and are re-
joicing in Christ (p. 41).
Praise Him for China's openness to
Christian work and for indications of
"growth and rootedness" among the
Christians (p. 42).
Pray that the circumstances which
are keeping medical workers from
the field may be removed and that
doctors and nurses may offer for
service in China (pp. 45 and 46).
Please remember our general direc-
tor, Mr. Hoste, in prayer, asking God
to grant him health and guidance for
the general oversight of the Mission's
work (p. 46).
Please pray for Rev. F. A. Steven
who is ill and for his family (p. 46).
Remember before the Lord those
who have been bereaved (p. 46).
ARRIVALS
December 25th, 1919, at Victoria,
B.C., Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Williston
and their three children, and Dr.
Edward S. Fish, from China.
December 28th, at Shanghai, Miss
Esther B. Bushy, Miss Hazel E. Bar-
ney, and Miss Jennie B. Powell, from
North America.
February 12th, 1920, at Vancouver,
the Misses Eva and Francesca French
and Miss A. Mildred Cable, en route
to England, and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Page, all from China.
HERE AND THERE
The Misses Eva and Francesca
French and Miss Mildred Cable, of
Hwochow, Shansi, during their few
days at the Pacific coast, appeared at
gatherings arranged for them by our
Mission Representative, Rev. Charles
Thomson at Vancouver, Victoria.
Seattle and Bellingham. In the last
mentioned place they addressed the
State Normal Y.W.C.A. on a Thurs-
day afternoon, each spoke in a
church in the evening, and the fol-
lowing morning spoke at "Assembly"
in the State Normal School by invi-
tation 'of the president when they
had an audience of about 900 students
with the Faculty. In between meet-
ings they had opportunities for con-
versation with young women. From
the coast they came on to St. Paul,
Chicago and Toronto, and are pro-
ceeding to Philadelphia before they
sail for England.
Rev. W. B. Williston has been quite
extensively occupied with openings
for missionary and other addresses
at the Pacific coast, at Winnipeg, at
Toronto, and later, in Chicago. His
close contact with the people during
his ministry in China has given him
a fund of illustration which is vivid
and valuable, and his work along the
line of getting the Chinese together
for teaching that they in turn may
go out among others, has developed
in Eastern Szechwan those practical
and interesting methods which have
proved so useful in other provinces.
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, FEBRUARY, 1920
221.
222
20.00
1.40
7.V 00
PHILADELPHIA
Date No. Amount
14—246 $ 9.50
247 10.00
248 . . . . 45 20
6—2 50 5.00
251 .50
252 . . 10.00
253. 71.50
17—255 10.00
256 . . . 25 00
258 5.00
-1 50
10—223
224. 10.00
225. . 200.00
11—227 10.00
228 . 15.00
229 5 . 00
230 . ... 5.00
12—231 2.00
232 5.00
233 22.05
234 25.00
235 5 (to
230 20.00
237 10.00
238 5.00
239 5.00
240. . 21.67
241. 33.33
13—242 Int 62.50
10.00
5.00
60.00
75.00
10.00
250 on
.$35 :».-»
5.00
2.00
5 . 00
1,100.00
90.00
5.00
2.00
200 (tit
25.00
61.00
5.00
10.00
5.00
5.00
special; purposes
8.50
15 00
50.00
10.00
90.00
33.33
400 . 00
105.00
5.00
10(1 00
14-
24.5
16-
210
254
Int .
17-
-2.S7
18-
21.2
2.11
19-
:'i;s
21-
21 28(1
Int
2.S7
"in
!93
205
303
31 17
3 1 1
315
318
20.00
10.00
5.00
TORONTO
SPECIAL PURPOSES
Date No. Amount
2 -182 $30.00
190 200.00
3—197 35.00
198 . 3.00
I 199.. 15.00
203 5.00
7 2111 25.15
9 215 15.00
l; 233 30.00
HI -244 12.00
From Philadelphia—
From Toronto —
For Missionary and General Purpose
For Special Purposes
THE LIFE OF HUDSON TAYLOR
VOLUME ONE
HUDSON TAYLOR
IN EARLY YEARS
< The Growth of a Soul)
Dr. and Mrs. HOWARD TAYLOR
In Canada $2.00 ; in the United States $2.25
The experience and career of Mr. Taylor furnish.--.
a notable illustration of the truth that when God
raises up a man for special service He first works in
that man the principles which later on are, through
his labors and influence, to be the means of wide-
spread blessing to the church and to the world.
—From the preface by Mr. D. E. Hoste.
THE LIFE OF HUDSON TAYLOR
VOLUME TWO
HUDSON TAYLOR
AND THE CHINA INLAND
MISSION
( The Growth of a Work of Go J)
Dr. and Mrs. HOWARD TAYLOR
In Canada $2.50; in the United States $2.60
"One feels that no ordinary book-notice can be
in the least adequate. Much in these pages .is almost
too sacred for the columns even of an evangelical
newspaper; and we can only say: let the book be
read-^not dipped into, not skimmed, but read, page
after page, to the end." — The Record, London.
THE FULFILMENT OF A DREAM
OF PASTOR HSI'S
By Miss A. MILDRED CABLE
Over 250 pages, illustrated. In Canada $1.60; in the United States $2.00
The book is full of living incidents and the reader is brought face to face with the powers
of darkness in full operation. The grace of God is also seen at work, resulting in great triumphs
not infrequently closely associated with much pathos. To those interested in women's work
the volume will especially appeal, for the station of which the volume speaks has been "manned"
by* ladies with whom has been associated a Chinese pastor. This is a record of solid work told
with a literary skill which never lacks the personal touch. — China's Millions, English Edition.
Recent Reprints of Mission Pamphlets
At 3c a copy or 30c a dozen, postpaid
THE MISSIONARY. A practical paper on
"the call, character, qualifications and train-
ing for service" of a missionary, by the late
founder of the China Inland Mission, Rev. J.
HUDSON TAYLOR.
INTERCESSION. A much-used exposition on
the subject of prayer, lately revised by the
•author, Rev. HENRY W. FROST.
At 2c a copy or 20c a dozen
MEDDLING WITH GOD. Reprinted by re-
quest from "China's Millions." A Niagara
Conference address by Rev. D. McTAVISH,
D.Sc.
At Sc a copy or 50c a dozen, postpaid
THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE
HEATHEN. This booklet is often referred
to by the evangelical press, and being fre-
quently called for, a new edition has been
prepared, revised and added to by the author.
Rev. HENRY W. FROST.
EVERYTHING BY PRAYER. Testimonies
from the experiences of missionaries and
Chinese Christians; striking answers to
prayer in regard to everyday matters as well
as emergencies, gathered from "China's Mil-
lions" and reprinted for convenient and more
extended circulation.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
237 SCHOOL LANE
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Ll
EBENEZER
VOL. XXVUI. No. '
THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.50 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
MISSION OFFICES
GERM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
•uthorized July 18. 1918
TORONTO
APRIL, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
Soundness in the Faith— By Mr. D. E. From Training Home ro Station— Bi
Hoste 51 N. E. Gemmell
In Memoriam— Rev. J. McP. Scott,.- D.D. 53 Chinese Homes— By Mr. C. H. Judd. .
Kinds of Homes in China— By Mrs. In a Women's Hospital— By Miss M. E.
JEHNNMREh 1
J. C. Carr
Into the Work and Out of the 1
By Mr. J. S. Fiddler >
At a "Ladies' Station'' in Szech'
Misses Laru-n and I<< ■!,<•
A Shepherd Boy— By Mrs. E. Grosa
Soltau . .
Our Shanghai Letter— By Mr. J. .
Prayer Calls — -Praise Echoes
Editorial Notes — By //. II'. F
» ^
^
^••■1
m$t
>
#1
4
f ^.v
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE. SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairmen
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Acting Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Ray. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Cbas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N J.
Rev. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles. Cal.
J. J. Gartsbore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont
Ellas Rogers, Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southern, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Terrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
el souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
•ollcltatlor « of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers,
seme of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and ethers provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of l,Mv stations and
eutstatlens have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries »r native
laborers. There were 6,443 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 45,000 communicants.
Since 1865, over 70,500 converts have been
baptized.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
23S School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street. Toronto. Out.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications lor servi
in China should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either of t
Mission offices.
efro
Then
In the case of a donation being intended as a coDtiibution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
transmission ' ' and for the private use of that individual.
FORM OF BEQUEST-I give and bequeath. I FORM OF DEVISE— 1 give and de
| unto the China Inland Mission ( K c note) the .urn of | Chin. Inland Mi-ion (see note), all that
■n of pr operty) with the ai
to be expended for the appro- | NO TE-In
pnate obiects of said Mutton ;
and I direct that the release of
the Home Director of .aid Mis-
sion shall be a sufficient dis-
charge for my executors in the
in fee simple, lot the use, beaa-
the United States, the following words
fil and behalf of said Mission
need to be inserted: "having offices at
Philadelphia. Pennsylvania." In case
forever: and direct that the ss-
lease of the Home Directsr of
the will is made out in Canada, the fol-
said Mission shall be a stxScieat
lowing words need to be inserted : hav-
discharge to my executors ia
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows:
n, Philadelphia, Pa.
WEEKLY
Friday 8.00 p.m.
Wednesday 8.00 p.m.
Ave. Friday 3 . 30 p.m.
Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
. . Mon. Afternoon .
German to
China Inland Missi.
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic Citvi.
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale, C.I.M. Representative
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St. . .
Tacoma. Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington, 811 So. Junett St
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home. 507 Church St Friday 8.00 p.m.
Vancouver, B.C.
Res., Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representative, 1017 Tenth Ave. E., specially arranged
Bible Training School. 356 Broadway W 2nd & 4th Friday. .8.00 p.m.
West Vancouver last Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Y.W.C.A., Dunsmuir St last Wednesday .3.00 p.m.
St. Louis, Mo. SEMI-MONTHLY
Res., Dr. Mary H. McLean, 4339 Delmar Blvd 2nd & 4th Mon . .8.00 p.m.
MONTHLY
. 1st Thurs. (morn).. 8. 30 a.m.
. .3rd Tuesday-. 8.00 p.m.
Albany, N.Y., Bible School, 107 Columbia St..
.'ast Tuesday
Cleveland, Ohio, Res.. Miss Z. A. Broughton, 4223 Cedar Ave. 1st Monday 7.30 p.m
Detroit. Mich., Res., Mr. James Bain, 114 Stanford St 1st Thursday 8.00 p.m
Grand Rapids. Mich., Wealthy St. Bap. Church. .Thurs. preceding 1st Sunday. .8.00 p.rr
Pontiac. Mich.. Res., Mrs. W. B. Redfern, 200 Mt. Clemens St.lst Friday 7.30 p.rr
l.aurium, Mich.. I st Bap. Church. Sec. Mrs. Ed. J. Lee .. 2nd Thursday 7.30 p. rr
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch., 23rd Ave. S. and
8th St
Sethel, Minn., The Baptisl
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie^
Seattle, Wash.', Res.', Mr. O. G. Whipple, 1816 38th Ave. N. 2nd Tuesday. .
Halifax, N.S., At various homes. Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty.
Armdale
Montreal, Qu<
Ottawa, Ont., At Y.W.C.A.
Ch
an, Com'd'r.
Niagara Falls, Onr., Res., Mr
Hamilton, Ont., Caroline St.
D.
M
Me
I ran :. West Ave . :
a (Rev. I. S. Pritchard,
London, Ont., Res., Rev. F. A
.".'.is Princess Ave
St
yen
. C.I.M. Roi'i.'
4
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. George E
Bolsover. Ont.. At var' '
R.R.I. Brechin, C
Winnipeg, Man., Res.
R. Mulock, 557 Wellington
.1st Wednesday. .
p.m.
1st Friday 3.00 p.m.
Calgarv, Alberta. Res.. Mr. A. L. Forde. 132S Uth Ave. W. .1st Monday S.00 p.m.
Victoria, B.C., Book and Bible Room, Fairfield Bldg., Cor-
morant St. 1st Monday, 3.00 p.m. Also occasional meetings 8.00 p.m.
BI-MONTHLY
Bellingham, Wash., Y.W.C.A Ccmmencing 2nd Monday February.. .8.00 p.m.
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO, APRIL, 1920
Soundness in the Faith
By Mr. D. E. HOSTE
IN prayerfully considering what I should say, it
has been impressed upon my mind I should
draw your attention to four expressions or
words which occur at the opening of the second
chapter of Titus. The four words are : "Sound in
doctrine ; sound in faith ; sound in charity ; sound in
patience." I may remind you that the word in the
original translated "sound" means "healthy." Our
words "hygiene" and "hygienic" are directly derived
from it, and we all know that a healthy condition
of body is essential if these countless numbers of
bacteria — these microbes that are simply every-
where — are to be resisted. Doctors are always tell-
ing us that we must keep ourselves healthy if the
inroads of disease and decay are to be withstood. I
remember that when I was a boy the late Professor
Huxley gave a definition of life. He said, "Life is
the sum of the forces that resist death." What a
testimony, by the way, to the great scriptural doc-
trine of the fall, and the curse and the reign of
death in consequence of that sin and that curse.
We need to be healthy to resist the inroads of
disease and decay. This is true, whether of the
individual or of an organization such as the China
Inland Mission.
May we now just consider those words in order.
The first is that we are to be "sound in doctrine."
You will remember that the Apostle and the other
preachers of that age did not by any means find it
easy to establish and maintain sound doctrine. The
footsteps of St. Paul were dogged by men who did
all that they could to pervert and overturn the doc-
trines he preached, and we know that they had a
considerable measure of success. Even before the
days of the apostles, we find right in the early
periods of inspired history the Psalmist saying, "It
is time, O Lord, for Thee to work, for men have
made void Thy law." Right from the beginning
Satan and his emissaries, the apostles of Satan, have
spared no efforts to undermine sound doctrine, and
to do away with the authority of God's Holy Word.
These things are not new by any means. Now we
want to keep sound in this matter. You may say
to us, "So many different people are changing their
ground and taking up new positions. How is it
with you in the China Inland Mission?" A good
many weeks ago, when at the house of a friend, I
looked into some of the theological works on his
shelves, and I was struck with the fact that the
writers, for the most part, devoted their discussions
and their learning to endeavors to adjust the truths
of the Christian faith, so far as possible, to fall in
with current thought and theories. In this connec-
tion I am reminded of a certain expression with
which we are all familiar in connection with the
recent war. We used to read about how the line
was "readjusted according to plan." They gave up
certain redoubts ; they withdrew from certain
trenches and positions. It was always said,
"According to plan"; but we know that the poor
men who had to write those dispatches did so with
aching hearts, because they knew perfectly well
that, as they retired and withdrew and tried to
adjust and form a new line, the enemy would not
be content with that. No, he would follow on and
drive them out of that position also, and that is
what happened. All the great masters of strategy
in the recent war on both sides, I have observed
from the little reading I have done on those sub-
jects, were unanimous on one point, namely, that
you must keep on the offensive if you are going to
win. You must not take the defensive. You must
not be readjusting your line "according to plan"
and hoping that the enemy will let you alone. That
leads to defeat, dear friends, not victory. Did
these men who were put in trust with the Gospel
of God — a divine revelation given to them from God
— take that line? Do we find the epistles of St.
Paul taken up with attempts to adjust the Gospel of
Christ to the current phases of philosophy and
science, and so on, of that day? No. Would they
have won on those terms? Not a bit of it. St.
Paul knew perfectly well, and all those men knew
perfectly well, that the message they had to deliver
was sure to be unpopular. It was an offence, a
stumbling block, to one lot of men; it was foolish-
ness to another; but they did not mind that. They
did not alter it one iota on that account. He was
the most yielding of men on all points upon which
he could yield; but when it was the truth of the
Gospel, when it was the authority of a divinely
given revelation, not for an hour would he give
place ; not an inch would he yield. May God help
us to stand.
Now, you may ask, as I said just now. "How do
you stand?" I will tell you. Dear Mr. Hudson
Taylor, and those associated with him in the early
days, did not feel it desirable or right to go into a
great many minutiae of theological and doctrinal
points, such as are more or less the subject of con-
troversy amongst Christian people, but they did
feel that they must plant this Mission firmly on a
basis of divinely revealed truth with regard to the
fundamentals that are taught us in God's Holy
52
CHINAS MILLIONS
Word. I will just read, as I put them down here,
what those were — what represent our present posi-
tion. The divine authority and inspiration of the
Bible. The fall of man and his consequent moral
depravity and need of regeneration. The atone-
ment. Justification by faith. The resurrection of
the body. The eternal life of the saved, and the
eternal punishment of the lost.
I will now speak quite briefly on the second ex-
pression, "sound in faith." I have been reading a
book by the Bishop of Durham, which I dare say is
familiar to many of you. Its teachings about faith
in a living God, and trust in a living Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Christian attitude, is
very helpful. Are we keeping in this attitude of
trust in the Lord Jesus Christ concerning our own
sanctification? Are we sound in faith there, or do
we let ourselves be betrayed into self-confidence
and self-effort? The longer one goes on in the
Christian life, the more sensible one becomes of the
fact that what lies at the root of weakness and
inconsistency in personal life is unbelief. Let us
remember that the law of the new covenant, the
law of faith, is simply to accept the fact of our
union with our risen Lord. I am speaking now,
more particularly, of being saved from the power of
sin. This lies at the root of all effective missionary
testimony. If my relationship with my Savior is not
a real one, if I do not know His power in my life,
what am I fit for as a witness to Him? My gospel
is only in word, and not in deed.
Further, there must be soundness in faith about
all things, whether spiritual or temporal — faith not
only for ourselves, but for others as well. You
remember Paul exhorted Timothy "to follow faith,"
the thought in the Apostle's mind apparently being
this : "You will have to exercise faith for a number
of people whose own faith will sometimes fail ; just
as Moses had to exercise faith on behalf of the
Israelites." Let us have faith in God when every-
thing seems to be going wrong; when the Chris-
tians get cold ; when the Adversary comes in with
a rush and disaster threatens. Never mind ;
encourage yourself in the Lord your God. Be a
man of faith. It is not difficult to trust God. Look
off to Him.
The third thing is "sound in love." How import-
ant, in the first place, that we should be sound in
love to our blessed Lord Himself. When I was
down in the country a short time ago the lady at
whose house I stayed pointed out to me how vital
it was that the love of Jesus — that Jesus Himself —
should be my portion; that I should not allow ser-
vice for Him in any way to usurp the place of Jesus
Himself. I noticed that this was so in her own
life. The Word of God was her delight, and there
was a sweet savor of Christ about her. Dear
friends, let us see to it that our relation with our
personal Redeemer is thus strong and intimate.
We must love Him: we must sit at His feet. "O
how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the
day." That is how this Mission grew up, and that
is how it must go on. Pray for us, dear friends,
that that may ever be the attitude of us all in this
Mission.
Again, if I allow an unloving spirit towards any "
one of God's children to get into my mind and heart,
it will color my whole character. It does not take
very much bitter dropped into a large vessel of
water to spoil the flavor. You remember how the
Apostle again and again in his epistles, in the open-
ing passages, speaks to the Christians of their faith
in the Lord Jesus and their love towards all saints —
all saints. The people who do not like me? The
people who go against me, who do not sympathize
with me? Yes, even these people. We are to have
love, and we are not to be bitter. Oh ! let us see to
it that we are sound in love, and sound in love
towards the people who are around us.
And then "sound in patience." We all of us who
have had any experience in the Christian life and
Christian service know the importance of this. It
is so possible to receive the word with joy, and
then, in time of temptation, to fall away, to fail in
patience. You remember that was the first great
failure of King Saul. King Saul was chosen by
God. You remember He revealed to Samuel that
Saul was His chosen man. The system of heredit-
ary monarchy was the people's choice ; it was not
God's choice ; but Saul was chosen by God, and
filled with the Spirit of God, and used for a time in
a very remarkable way to govern Israel and to
work deliverance for them. His first recorded
failure was just because he was not sound in
patience. You recollect that the prophet Samuel
had promised to come at the end of a certain period
to offer up sacrifices, and he did not come quite in
time, and a panic was setting in, and the hostile
armies of the Philistines were drawing near, and
Saul forced himself and offered the sacrifice. He
did not endure to the end. So Samuel said to him,
"The Lord is going to take away your kingdom."
We sometimes think that it was because Saul did
not exterminate the Amalekites. That was a fur-
ther reason ; but if you look at it carefully you will
see that the first reason was that under the pres-
sure of extremely trying circumstances he did not
wait upon the Lord. He took things into his own
hand. He failed in patience. May we "let patience
have her perfect work." Count it all joy when you
fall into divers temptations, dear friends. I remem-
ber that about eight years ago I was in Germany
at Barmen, and a dear brother in Christ said to me,
"Have you observed in that closing chapter of
Hebrews the expression, 'By Him, therefore, let us
offer up the sacrifice of praise continually'?" Have
you noticed the word "sacrifice"? It is easy enough
to praise when everything is going smoothly; but
God loves that sacrifice of praise when things are
all going against you, when the promises are delay-
ed, when there is drought, when "nothing seems to
be doing," as we say. "Hold fast the beginning of
your confidence steadfast unto the end." The word
of that dear German brother has been a help to
me again and again. Let us offer "the sacrifice of
praise" in the hard times, in the losses, in the sor-
rows, in the conflicts, in the offences of the enemy.
Oh ! let us praise God, and thus be sound in patience.
It is by your patience you shall win your lives.
Character is built up by the exercise of patience —
I was going to say, if I might say it with reverence, Do not let us be hasty in spirit.
patience with God. I do not know whether it is a May God grant that all of us connected with this
right thing to say, but we must have patience under China Inland Mission may through His grace be
the hand of God and patience with our brethren, sound in doctrine, in faith, in charity, in patience.
In Memoriam— Rev. J. McP. Scott, D.D.
Until only a few weeks since, prominent among
these last was Dr. J. McP. Scott. A younger man
among older men we thought he would be with us
for yet many days to come. Virile of mind and
body, we should have said that he would be one of
the last to leave us. Dominant in physical and
spiritual activity, we find it hard to believe that he
has gone hence and that we shall have him no more
in our midst, to sympathize with us, to guide us in
our service and to establish us in God's holy truth.
But the end suddenly came upon February 25th, and
we are bereft. This is the tenth death among our
Council members since the Council was established
in 1888, so that few of the original company are left.
In a little while, the gathering over there will be
greater than the one here.
John McPherson Scott was born in Ayr, Ontario,
in 1859. His early education was obtained at Gait,
and later, he became an arts student at the Univer-
sity of Toronto, where he took his B.A. degree.
From the University he went for his theological
course to Knox College, Toronto, where he obtained
the degree of B.D. He was given the degree of
D.D. in 1915. His career as a student was marked
by great steadfastness and it resulted in a peculiarly
well stored and ordered mind.
Dr. Scott's first spiritual venture proved to be his
last, for his mission which he established in the
eastern part of Toronto became a Presbyterian
Church, and of this he was the first and only pastor.
This mission was begun in 1889, so that Dr. Scott
was with one congregation for thirty-one years.
Those of us who saw him among his people in the
early days and watched his going out and coming
in amongst them through the following years, bear
witness to the fact that the respect and love his
congregation gave him never decreased but ever
increased. His first years were remarkable ; but
his last were his best. He moved in the midst
of his flock as a true spiritual shepherd, leading
them like the Great Shepherd into green pastures
and beside still waters.
In 1912 Dr. Scott took a world-wide tour, visiting
the mission fields of the East and giving special
attention to the mission stations of the Canadian
Presbyterian Church. Before this he had the mis-
sionary spirit. But this experience gave him, in
addition, the missionary vision. From this time on
his ministry was transformed. The local church
was no longer his objective. He regarded it as a
means to a larger end, the evangelization of the
world. Soul saving in his congregation continued
and amplified. But the people, under his ministry,
were saved to serve at home and abroad. The
result was that St. John's Church became known
throughout Canada as in the very van of missionary
activity. It was this conception of spiritual life
that brought Dr. Scott into such deep sympathy
TORONTO, »beyond most cities, has been blessed
by possessing a strong evangelical ministry.
This was peculiarly so in past years ; and it is
largely so at the present time. In the various
denominations of the city, God has raised up good
and true men, and one has been able to pass from
church to church without hearing a discordant note
in respect to fundamental truth and with the fre-
quent satisfaction of listening to sermons replete
with divine knowledge and power.
Not a few of such ministers as these last have
been members of our Mission Council, some of
whom have passed beyond and some of whom
remain. Of those who have .gone from us, the
names of the Rev. T. C. Des Barres, Dr. H. M. Par-
sons, Dr. Elmore Harris and Dr. Thomas Wardrope
will be best known, all of whom were men of God
in a high and holy sense, men who left a spiritual
impression of an abiding kind upon our work, their
churches and many individuals near and far. We
still mourn the loss of these brethren in Christ, and
Toronto and the world are still the poorer because
of their having been called to the heavenly country.
How glad we are that others remain who are like
unto those who have gone. Their presence with
us is more than our joy ; it is also our life and
strength.
54
CHINA'S MILLIONS
with the China Inland Mission. He willingly
served us because he believed that we were in the
path of God's will in seeking to make known the
Gospel to the ends of the earth.
There is not space to allow us to speak particular-
ly of Dr. Scott's characteristics and virtues. We
can but say that he was true in his friendships,
loyal to God's Word, devoted to the higher forms
of spiritual service, unpretentious in manner, ever
humble and teachable in spirit, never seeking high
or first places, and increasingly to the very end
hungry for those best spirtual experiences which
are hidden from the wise and prudent but are
revealed unto babes. It was a joy to live and serve
with such a man of God. We count it therefore a
great honor to have had him as a Mission counsellor
and to have been permitted to call him our beloved
friend.
Dr. Scott left behind him a beloved wife and son.
We commend these two to the prayers of God's
saints and to the comforting and strengthening of
the Holy Spirit. H w F
Three Kinds of Homes in China
By Mrs. J. C. CARR, Pingyangfu, Shansi
LET me picture three kinds of homes that I have
seen around me in the part of China in which
I have been working.
We live in a Chinese house and have only Chinese
neighbors. It is a great thing to live near the
Chinese like that. You get to know the ins and
outs of their family life as you never could if you
were shut away in a compound somewhere else.
Our bedroom is so close to our Chinese neighbors
that I can hear their quarrels quite well. In the
early morning before I get up I can hear them
bargaining with the vegetable seller at the door.
I can hear the boys being dispatched to school. One
gets to know many of the little details of Chinese
family life in this homely and pleasant way.
Most of the homes around us are of one char-
acter. They are nearly all heathen homes of the
old type. If you go up to the door of one, you see
facing you a paper god pasted upon it. No heathen
Chinese would neglect to put up a new door god
each New Year. He believes that the safety, the
comfort and the welfare of his household depends
upon that.
Then if you go further into the courtyard and
visit some home inside, there, right in the centre
of the home, you find the kitchen god, which is also
a paper god, and is supposed to look after the com-
fort of the family in various ways which I will not
now detail. You find, too, the god of the stable
and, in a prominent place, .probably the god of
riches. All sorts of little paper gods are stuck up
on the walls, with perhaps some little receptacle in
front, in which a stick of incense is burning. By
degrees you get to know that everything in these
old-fashioned heathen homes is in some way con-
nected with idolatry or with some form of
idolatrous superstition. Of course, that affects the
women of the family most particularly; the men
will often tell you that they do not believe in these
things, the foolish fancies and imaginations of
women. But I understand that when trouble visits
them they, too, take refuge in these same super-
stitions and idolatries.
In the part of Shansi I come from a woman would
not dare even to sweep her courtyard, or to bring in
a handful or two or earth to mend her stove, with-
out first of all kowtowing, burning incense, or in
some way worshiping the earth god. She dare
not disturb the earth without first of all propitiating
him.
From homes such as these, girls with bound feet
are married when they are quite young, and go out
to form fresh homes of the same character. From
such a home as this one hot summer afternoon a
little deformed baby girl was taken and thrown
outside alive, while the neighbors stood round and
watched. In homes such as these multitudes of the
people of China are being brought up. Some of the
inmates of these homes have heard of Jesus Christ
and they have found that those longings for some-
thing of which the idols and the charms and the
superstitions and the spirits are some kind of crude
expression are met and satisfied in Him, the same
Lord who satisfies us. Some of them have found
this out, but many of them have already passed
away without knowing of anything better, because
we have not told them in time.
Now I pass to the second kind of home I wish
to describe — the godless home. I suppose that
twenty or thirty years ago anything of this type
could not have been found in China. The first home
that I have spoken of is full of gods. The men of
the family probably affect to despise the idols and
say they believe firmly in Confucius and in the
wonderful things he taught, but, even so, they have
never found any power by which to live out his
precepts, and the women, certainly are bound by
superstition and error and idolatry.
But during the last twenty years wonderful things
have been stirring China. The Boxer movement in
1900 began to stir the people, and to alter their
point of view and show them that the old isolation
and the old position of proud superiority, were per-
fectly untenable. Then, in 1911, still further great
changes came to that country. We ourselves have
seen many an idol overthrown in the city of Ping-
yangfu. I have seen small children playing about
among the ruins of a temple, taking out the eyes
of the idols and playing with them. Do you won-
der that the people, even the most bigoted, whisper
among themselves and say, "Well, if the idols
cannot even take care of themselves, can they take
55
care of us ? Can they be as much good as they
have been said to be? Are they, after all, so power-
ful?" So the foundations of the old order crumble
and change. The Chinese have looked out on our
Western world, and begin to think that if they
can have our Western inventions and knowledge
and education, everything will be all right ; and
some of them have turned to these things, and in
doing so have turned away from all desire for any
god whatever. So there are in China to-day a
growing number of godless homes.
In the city of Pingyangfu I sometimes call on
wives of the officers of the new Chinese army. I
know some of them and understand a little more
what their home life is like. In their houses you
see nothing like a door god or a kitchen god, or
anything so crude. Even the ancestral tablet may
possibly not be there. They will tell you, proudly:
"Yes, my husband belongs to the No-god Society,
we are enlightened people. See my shoes. I no
longer cramp my feet in the old degraded Chinese
way. We understand that men and women are on
an equality. We understand freedom in marriage.
Everything is changed. We are enlightened. We
belong to the No-god Society."
I think we at home ought to face the fact that
such homes are multiplying in China, and that unless
we give the people something constructive — a
knowledge of Jesus Christ the Savior and the
Satisfier, these homes will increase more and more
rapidly. Atheistic literature, from Japan and other
countries, and all sorts of false, wrong, and wicked
notions are making their way into new China. That
is the second picture.
Think of the extraordinary changes in China.
' In 1911 people came to take refuge in our com-
pound, and they came through the very doors on
which there still are the marks of the Boxer swords.
Eleven years after they had put the missionaries to
death and driven out the Christians and done their
best to exterminate Christianity, those people came
nocking in through our big gates.
One day, when I was sitting in church, someone
whispered to me, "That old lady sitting over there
is the mother of one of the prominent Boxer lead-
ers in 1900." I had the great joy of asking her to
come home to dinner with us, and of leading her in
and seeing her afterwards come, not once or twice,
but a number of times, to the Bible classes — the
ten-day or fortnight Bible classes which we hold
for women. What a change ! What a mighty con-
vulsion there is in China ! Even in backward Shansi,
there have been projected roads and even motor
omnibuses, and foreign machinery in the mines, and
many great and startling changes. Shall we not do
all that lies in our power to ensure that the homes
of China, from which the old order of things is
being cast out, shall not be like that house we read
of in the New Testament, from which the evil
spirits were driven, but came back and found it
empty, swept, and garnished, and the last state was
worse than the first.
These are two varieties of homes ; but we can
tell you a very different story of the Christian
homes of China. We can tell you how wonderful
it is to make your way, perhaps to some little cave
village, some of these little primitive caves right up
in the mountains of Shansi, and after a long climb
up the steep side of the hill, find that you are not
strangers in strange surroundings, but that you are
among brothers and sisters, because all worship
the same Lord Jesus Christ, whom they have
enthroned in their homes.
Just as in the second kind of home, idols have
gone. They are banished, and you see instead Chris-
tian mottoes on the doors. You see a Christian
Bible on the shelf. You find the inmates singing
Christian hymns when the work of the day is done
and they are gathered for evening prayers ; and
although they are not perfect people any more than
we, yet you know that a new power, a new won-
der, something new altogether, has come, into
those homes. The best of it is that not only the
old and the feeble and the unintellectual are finding
out how Jesus Christ can meet their need, but the
modern Chinese young man, full of aspirations and
hopes, and ideals, is finding that Jesus Christ gives
him a cause worth fighting for and worth living for.
It is not always easy for the young Chinese to
follow Jesus Christ. It often means losing life in
order to find it. For instance, some young man
from a mission school gets the chance of a good
government job, and he has to choose between
that, which would mean a lucrative position, and,
perhaps, taking a very small salary and going out
to preach Christ amongst his fellow-men, or living
at home in some quiet way and doing what he can
to make the Gospel known.
Young women, from the schools, who have grad-
uated, are offered by the Chinese Government
responsible posts with large salaries, and the ques-
tion comes to them, will they take the post, or will
they lose their life and so find it?
The young men who have been trained in our
Mission hospital — we have nine now in the hospital
at Pingyangfu, and we have made a beginning in
training young Chinese women for nurses — these
Photograph by Miss M. J. Kuehn
young people all of them could do much better for
themselves than they will if they stay on closely
connected with the definite, active work of the
Mission. It is not easy for them any more than
it is for us, to make a new venture for Jesus Christ.
It is not easy for us. But whether Chinese young
people or English-speaking young people, God
wants to give us a full, joyful, satisfying life, with
a cause worth fighting for and a King worth serv-
ing and a life worth living. Do not look at the
map and be deluded by the names of the Mission
stations into thinking that there are so many that
we must be doing rather well. It is not so. Remem-
ber that out of the four hundred million Chinese
there are only half a million Christians and inquir-
ers, all told, as yet. If we can look at that and not
ask ourselves what God would have us do, we are
not worthy, I think, to be called Christians at all.
We have a young friend in China, one of the
modern-minded Chinese who has great hopes for
his country, but who knows that patriotism is not
enough. He has a family of three little daughters.
One day I was talking with him about the future
of his children, and he mapped it all out before us.
He said: "The eldest one has good abilities. She
is doing well at school. I want her to be a school
teacher. Number two is a terror of a child ; full of
life and spirits. She will not be afraid to move the
knife." That is the Chinese way of saying operate.
"I shall make her a woman doctor." So the career
of number two was planned out.
Then I said, "What about the new baby, num-
ber three?"
He said, "I mean to make her a woman evange-
list."
Are not these worthy ambitions for a Chinese
father? Think of the difference. Ordinarily in the
old days they just thought of girls with a view to
their marriage, getting a good home and a good
dowry for them. Now they are having hopes and
ideals for their daughters which perhaps even some
fathers and mothers in England and America have
hardly yet reached.
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Into the Work and Out of the World
By Mr. J. S. FIDDLER, Ningsiafu, Kansu
WE arrived at Ningsiafu in peace and safety on
May the 15th, just two months and four days
from the time we left our four dear boys at
Chefoo. The journey was full of the goodness and
presence of God.
To begin with, He gave us grace, and strength
and courage, to leave our children, especially our
youngest who had always been with us — we miss
him now so much !
As we journeyed, God was with us, through rob-
ber infested districts (for they are many), through
places where only a short time before plague had
been raging, through Mongolian deserts when for
days not a soul was to be seen, through storm and
sunshine, and through seeing shipwreck of others,
our God was with us.
On the Yellow River we had the company of four
other missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Hitch, and Messrs.
Page and Beeson, all of the "Tibetan Mission." Of
course, they had their boat and we had ours, and
while we were separated at times all day, at night
we nearly always anchored together.
One morning about one or two o'clock a terrific
storm arose, blowing both boats out from their
moorings and across the river — fortunately on to
sandbanks. There were moments of great sus-
pense — everything was black and dark ; we could
see nothing, but heard the rushing waters, the
whistling wind, the knocking of ropes, the shaking
of sails, curtains and every movable thing, and
above all the yelling of boatmen. All in the dark
I got up and pulled on my clothes, anything and
any way, to get ready either for jumping ashore or
into the river or whatever the emergency called for.
But in this case, as always, God was better than our
fears, for within five or ten minutes He had us
nicely landed in a sandy creek where the waters
could not harm us, and with our boat resting on
the ground, we lay down and went to sleep.
It was good to see one of our old servants out
three or four days' journey to meet us, bringing
with him some thirty-odd letters all with good
news. He stayed on our boat until it got too rough
for him, and then left for home overland.
Needless to say, we had a hearty "Welcome
Home". There was plenty of hard work waiting
for us and we pitched into it. Over three months
of building has taken much of my time, but now it
is finished, I am getting some time for letter writ-
ing, and doing accounts, etc. My wife and Mrs.
Nystrom are both well, though I was sick for some
two months.
We thank God for four precious souls baptized,
and one more restored to fellowship. The work
here goes on very slowly, but we believe the reap-
ing time is coming for He has said it — Gal. 6:9.
We are here for Christ and souls, and we know
nothing else. You need not ask us about political
affairs, for we hear nothing and therefore know
nothing. The three of us are all the world we have
here. Believers are in the world, but not of it,
thank God!
At a "Ladies' Station" in Szechwan
By Miss EDNA L. LARSEN, Suifu, Szechwan
LEAVING Laohokow in September, 1918, I have
now been in Suifu nearly a year. We are badly
in need of workers in this province; it is so
large. Not a few of the stations are without work-
ers.
I have the girls' school here and enjoy my work
very much indeed. It has its problems and difficul-
ties to be sure but there are encouragements as
well. Just a few weeks ago seven of the girls came
voluntarily asking for baptism. We meet once a
week for Bible study and prayer. I covet your pray-
ers that each one of these girls may be thoroughly
converted. They have made themselves into a
"One by One Band" that they may take some
responsibility in leading the others to Christ. We
have also a Christian Endeavor Society and I trust
this may help them to speak for Him.
Most of the girls are from heathen homes but
some have been the means of leading their mothers
to Christ and others in interesting them in the Gos-
pel or at least in getting rid of any prejudice. But
I long for more girls from Christian homes from
the other stations where there are no .boarding
schools.
By Miss META J. KUEHN, Suifu, Szechwan
The China Inland Mission station at Suifu is a
"ladies' station." We live in one part of the house,
while the larger part is given over to class rooms,
building is nearer the street.
My one big, and practically only responsibility
as yet, is the learning of the language, and surely
this must be the old proverbial "Chinese Puzzle." I
confess that I must constantly pray for patience as
I do for wisdom. Imagine being the one lone indi-
vidual for miles around who cannot understand the
one language spoken. This afternoon I was direct-
ing our servant what to put out in the garden. (In
passing, I'll tell you that he is the only one I can
make understand my Chinese — he is deaf and
dumb.) While I was "telling" this man what to do
in the garden, several of the schoolgirls came along.
One of them pointed to a red flower, and said "hong
hua." I happened to know the meaning of those
two words, so I dared to say a few more. Of course
I said more wrong than right, and the girls had a
good laugh at my expense. They think it so strange
that there should be anyone who does not under-
stand Chinese.
There was a wedding near our compound this
week. A Chinaman was- marrying his third wife,
the reason for which was that he had no son to
worship at his grave after his death. I was won-
dering what kind of a reception the first two wives
would give this little fifteen year old bride. No
one had to tell us that the bridal procession was
arriving, because the noise accompanying such an
event is sufficient to let all the neighborhood know
that either a wedding or funeral party is passing.
At the head of the procession was a man carrying
a pig's head. This was taken into the home and
placed before the family idols, before which also
57
the new bride had to bow and worship immediately
upon her arrival.
Most likely she had never seen her husband until
the day of the wedding, and even then not until
evening when all the men guests join the women,
and they are allowed to ask all the impudent, nasty
questions of the bride they wish. The actual cere-
mony then takes place, which, in this case (as in
most of them, I understand) the bride and groom,
sitting down next each other, drink a cup of tea
together. This "pronounces" them man and wife.
Meanwhile outside the house an immense lot of fire-
crackers are let off to please the gods.
I went back that morning into our house, heart-
sick. Several of our schoolgirls here are engaged
to heathen young men, having been engaged in
infancy or as very young children. Now those dear
girls have become Christians, but it is next to im-
possible to break off engagements. It always means
a serious and usually unsuccessful lawsuit when
attempted. Engagements seem more binding than
marriages in China. We have one such earnest girl
who is expected to be married this coming year.
Her husband-to-be has sent his "middleman" to her
home several times asking that she stop coming to
our church and school, but this she flatly refuses.
Her father though not a Christian, fortunately does
not oppose her; and we are praying that something
may come to pass that she need riot marry this
heathen man whom she has never seen and whom
she has no desire to marry.
A Shepherd Boy
By Mrs. ELSIE GROSART, Hwochow, Shansi
IT was good to see six women in a mountain village
take a definite stand for the Lord Jesus, and
also a poor, despised shepherd boy. The day
on which the invitation was given, my subject at
the midday service was "The Good Shepherd," and
I had a large picture of the shepherd leading his
sheep. Throughout the service my attention was
called again and again to a ragged boy, who seemed
to be listening so intently. I think it was his sad
face which attracted my attention, but as soon as
the meeting was over and while we were dealing
with the women who had taken their stand, the
boy disappeared.
However, that night, at the service for Christians,
he returned, and afterwards edged up close to where
I was. I asked him if he knew Jesus as his Savior,
and he replied simply, "Yes, since to-day."
When I asked, "Will anyone here teach this boy
the script," they all replied, "He has no time; he has
no mother ; he is only the shepherd boy," and they
turned away from the poor fellow as if he was
nothing, and the boy, too, turned to go, as if he had
no right to be there.
I put my hand on his arm and drew him back,
and told him how important a work the shepherd
had, and then told him the story of the shepherd
boy, David. As I told that lovely story, the sadness
passed away and the lad's face just lit up with joy.
"That was Jesus coming for His sheep to-day," he
said, "and I am one of His sheep now."
CHINA'S MILLIONS
From Training Home to Station
By Miss NINA E. GEMMELL, Vanchow, Kiangsi
FROM the day the new worker arrives at the
Training Home in Yangchow, I think there is
no time quite so exciting as the day one is
designated to a certain province and a certain sta-
tion to do definite work for the Master. The place
may be far or near, easy or difficult of access, but
this day opens up a new stretch of road filled with
new and strange experiences and requiring a very
real stepping out upon the promises of God.
From this day all events point to departure. Such
a rushing and packing of boxes as there is, sorting
and renovating, pressing and planning! Especially
is it interesting if several are going at once, when
the "boxroom" looks like a department store at holi-
day time, every article in sight that one could ever
expect to want, from kitchen and household sup-
plies to carpenter's tools, waiting to be packed.
The appointed morning comes, with its last sight
of the Home and the dear ones there in a group on
the veranda singing — and we are off.
The boat from Chinkiang to Kiukiang comes in
at night. The usual time is anywhere from nine to
twelve p.m. — should it come after that it is said to
be late. I joined Mrs. Lawson on this boat and
together we journeyed to Yiianchow. This steamer
is owned by Japanese and owing to the boycott we
had the second deck mostly to ourselves.
The land on both sides of the river was covered
with miniature farms, while in every clump of trees
was a house, it might be of bamboo covered with
mud, or of brick, or of plain sod. Sometimes the
family of one clan live together, and in such a case
their houses join and the whole is surrounded with
a mud wall. The farmers were tilling the soil with
oxen, others carrying water for the fields or cutting
the grain. The land is rolling and "mountainous.
The highest mountains are the Kuling peaks south
of Kiukiang.
Our shopping at Kiukiang was interesting, every
time we stopped to .look at something a crowd came
round to see what we were looking at, and, if pos-
sible, to get a peep into our purses. The store-
keeper, if asked whether he had a certain article in
stock always replied in the negative, while we per-
haps were looking at the very article upon a shelf.
The train from Kiukiang to Nanchang starts in
the morning. At nearly eleven it left — with a jerk —
but didn't make much progress, as at every station
it stopped from ten to twenty minutes. However
in this way we got a good look at the scenery. The
soil is bright red in many places and dotted with
green, bristly pine trees. All the farmers were in
the fields cutting the crop or plowing the ground
for the next one. We crossed the Kan river just
as it was dusk. The river was full of sailing and
fishing boats and a few ferries, each boatman sing-
ing as he swished the oars in the water.
During the couple of days spent at Nanchang, the
capital of Kiangsi, we got a boat and provisions for
the two weeks' journey to Yiianchow. We bought
also a charcoal stove, a tea kettle, some charcoal,
eggs, and a basin in which to cook our rice. The
boat, a native one, was quite nice and comfortable.
It had two large sails and the top of the boat was
covered with bamboo leaf mats that could be pushed
aside allowing us to have a door. The boatmen had
the front of the boat and we had the back, which
we curtained off into two rooms, a sleeping room
and a kitchen-dining-sitting room. Our beds were
spread on the floor, and we hung the mosquito nets
over them. This is good to do, I am told, when one
is traveling by native boat whether there be mos-
quitoes or not.
The first night the invaders came — and each suc-
ceeding night the number seemed to be doubled —
rats everywhere. They squeaked and rolled around,
they rattled the papers, jumping from one object
to another. I didn't know what they were trying to
do, and didn't ask, but it sounded as if they were
attempting to relieve us of some of our baggage. It
would have taken the whole of one's bedding to
chink up the cracks so we tucked in the netting
tighter and listened patiently to their screams of
delight at what they found. There were other prow-
lers, but the rats were the largest.
After leaving the landing at Nanchang we
threaded our way in and out among dozens of other
boats, and when we were out into the river the
sails went up and we flew — figuratively speaking.
The boatmen yelled for the wind. You can imagine
the noise that six of them made all shouting at the
top of their voices as they poled along.
APRIL. 1920
59
When meal time came our little stove was lit for
the eggs, rice and vegetables to be cooked. This
took some time as we had only one cooking utensil
— our culinary department consisting of one big
spoon (which got lost), one small spoon, two cups
and saucers, two small plates, one pair of chop-
sticks and one can-opener. We borrowed a pair of
chopsticks and two bowls from the captain. Sweep-
ing took only a second as it was only a matter of
brushing the dust into the cracks. It is surprising
the way time fills up even when there is nothing
urgent that has to be done, and the days passed
quickly.
The deep blue, clear waters of the Yuan river
were refreshing to look upon after the yellow,
muddy Yangtse. The bottom of the river could be
seen at almost any place and when we stopped
hundreds of tiny fish came around the boat. The
farther up we went the more wild and beautiful
was the scenery. As it was almost impossible to.
take our eyes off it, we ate more than one bowl of
rice standing at the door. Along the edge of the
water were high hedges of pampas grass and at
night the sand pipers and cranes swept over the
water to their marshy homes. Farther up were
groves of bamboo and fir, with tiny villages lost
in the shade of great spreading trees. The rapids
became swifter and in two or three places the boat
was perched on the top for more than an hour,
finally having to be lifted over. Sometimes the men
pulled by a rope tied to the mast. They sang when-
ever the occasion demanded and grunted at every
effort.
At several places boat bridges, which connect two
small villages on opposite sides of the river, had to
separate to let us through. One day our boat ran
on to the anchor of a log raft, making a hole in the
bottom, and the boatmen stood arguing while the
water poured in. However the hole was small and
no damage was done.
Just after we had stopped one evening, our cook
went on shore to buy eggs and meat for the next
day. Presently he came back bringing with him
several women who invited us up to their house.
They had never seen foreigners before but were not
in the least afraid. When we arrived at the house
they put a bench for us to sit on and gathered
around. As Mrs. Lawson preached to them, others
came. How they listened! Some had never heard
the Gospel before and those who had were eager
to hear it again.
Our CQok, who is a Christian, broke in once with,
"If you worship the true God you will never be
sick. Oh, you might be sick, but you won't be sick
so long!"
The city of Feni is walled. Here we stopped at
the bottom of a flight of stairs leading down to the'
water. Scores of people came through the city gate
down to the water, some to do the week's washing
and some to get water for the fields, while not a few
animals came to drink. Half a dozen little girls
with bound feet were washing vegetables and rice.
When the people knew we were there, the women
began to come, and for two hours they poured into
our tiny room to hear the Gospel. Four policemen
with others, kept the door, letting the women in by
sixes and sevens. They listened very quietly and
seemed to understand about the Lord Jesus. The
idea of heaven appealed to them and they kept
repeating the important points Mrs. Lawson taught
them.
Many could not get in and even after the mat
had been pulled over the door some crawled in
underneath. The crowd on the shore and wall hung
around until dark, following the boat up to the
anchoring place.
Ytianchow was heralded by the "Good Luck"
tower that stands outside the city, the leaning
pagoda, and then the city wall.
Each day we had committed ourselves to the care
of our Heavenly Father and He had brought us
safely to our journey's end. It was interesting to
see the way our supplies lasted — the last day we
had one slice of bread, a pinch of salt, one egg, no
jam, a little butter, three peanuts, and a cupful of
rice and no vegetables.
From the boat to the house we kept meeting
Christians. Such a pleasure it was to see their faces
beaming with joy at the return of Mrs. Lawson and
full of interest at the sight of the new teacher.
They came running out of their houses as we
passed. Everyone seemed to be on the hill road
watching, for they all knew that we were on the
way. At the entrance of the compound were the
schoolgirls, more Christians, servants, members of
the preaching band, and the dear ones into whose
lives and fellowship we had come. The faces of all
spoke a hearty welcome and how glad we were to
enter in.
Chinese Homes
By Mr. CHARLES H. JUDD
BUILDING work in China necessarily occupies a
good deal of time, especially in the far interior
where the people have no idea of building in a
substantial and sanitary way.
The Chinese have their own way of spending
money. They seem to prefer to live in dirty, un-
sanitary houses, that cost them countless lives, and
to appear as though they had not enough money to
clean up or repair their houses. But, all of a sud-
den, at a wedding, funeral, or for an aged person's
birthday, they will spend the earnings of years in
feasting and outward display that only lasts a few
days.
While supervising the putting up of buildings for
the lady missionaries at Iyang, Kiangsi, I was asked
to conduct a Christian wedding ceremony, and to
look at the condition and size of the houses of either
party, one would not think they had more than a
comfortable living. Yet the bride's family provided
eight hundred meals for wedding guests, and the
groom's family about the same. With the money
spent on festivities lasting three or four days, they
might have done something in the building line that
would have been a benefit for a generation or two.
Of course, these people turned out to be rich
people, for poverty is abundant in this country as a
whole. But when even the rich do not know how
60
CHINA'S MILLIONS
to build a healthy house, we have, in the interior, to
superintend the building of a house ourselves if
we want even a plain but proper house to preserve
the health of our workers. A "pigsty" is what one
gentleman from England termed the former house
the ladies at Iyang lived in, when he saw it on a
visit to China.
Together with the drawing of plans, buying of
material, engaging of workmen, superintending the
work from day to day, one cannot see the dense
spiritual darkness and need round about without
helping as far as possible in the work of the Gospel.
Consequently, I generally had the privilege of
preaching twice and often three times on Sundays,
as well as taking part in one or two other meetings
during the week. Beside this, there are endless
opportunities of telling the Gospel to those one
meets daily, who know not Christ or His salvation.
In a Women's Hospital
By Miss MABEL E. SOLTAU, Kiafeng, Honan
LAST year our total number of in-patients was
seven hundred but we have already exceeded
that number this year (1919), and the opera-
tions also have been more than ever before. We
do thank God that the latter have gone well, and
no patients have died from chloroform.
We had a little boy, recently brought .by his
grannie and mother, the only son, in the whole
family, absolutely spoilt. After much talk and
explanation he was got into bed and his leg fixed
up, and all just so, but in a couple of days one
found him with everything taken off. He cried
and his grannie could not bear that. Happily the
grandfather sent along a messenger to inquire about
the child, then sent orders that he was to have the
proper treatment and very unwillingly he once
again retired to bed. By frequent exhortations we
managed to keep them here till the leg was straight-
ened out when they were allowed home, but were
to return to complete the cure, yet so far there is
no word of them.
We had one little damsel about nine years old
who acted at first much like a wild animal. Her
mother was dead and her father seemed rather a
scamp. He would not pay for her treatment or
food and we feared his intention was to leave the
child on our hands. At first she fought and bit
when any attempt at giving her medicine was tried,
but giving her a bath and putting on a pretty pink
jacket, she quite calmed down and seemed to realize
we only sought her good. We were glad of that
jacket.
We have with us a sweet-faced slave girl. She
came in with a most terrible hand. It had been
neglected and gangrene had already set in. At first
the doctor feared nothing would save her life but
amputation of the hand, and as one thought of it,
it really seemed.it would be kinder to let her die,
as a slave with no hand would not be kept by
anyone. However, she is recovering with only the
loss of the tops of her fingers and she goes about
with a very smiling face these days, feeling so
much better.
psjp
mSRHSI
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS USED AT A KIANG
ILLUSTRATION) . THE SMILING PERFORMERS ,
FROM THE MISSION COMPOUND (il
Even in China, girls have ambitions in the educa-
tional line. We had one damsel brought by her
elder brother who sent in his card on which was
written in English that he wanted special attention
given to his sister as her disease was "very heavy."
It appears that she had gone in for some examina-
tion, and having failed in it, promptly tried to kill
herself by taking a quantity of face powder which
contains lead. It had happened some days before,
and after having tried the Chinese doctors in the
city she was brought here. She improved much and
also seemed quite pleased to learn and listen to the
Gospel. When she left, the brother meant to send
her to a Mission school and I hope he has done so.
It is always rather trying when the men rela-
tives will try to talk English. They do like to show
they can speak a little but it is much more difficult
to understand that than Chinese. It makes one
realize the gymnastics their brains probably go
through at times when we are talking, as we think,
Chinese to them. One recent patient of Dr. Gib-
son's would declare that his disease was Ma-la-li-ya
which, when you grasped it, was malaria.
We often need to pray that in this land God
would lead us to, or bring to us, prepared hearts
there are hidden away, people who are true seek-
ers after the truth but who have never yet heard the
Gospel. Old Mrs. Chi was one such, a vegetarian in
order to gain merit and put away sin, an ardent
idolater, some days knocking her head to the ground
before her idols three hundred times and doing all
she knew to find the true road to happiness.
Her daughter was married when but a girl, and
then being delicate had a difficult time as there were
various old relatives who were very angry at hav-
ing a girl who could not grind flour and do the
ordinary work of the country home. Her husband,
being younger than herself, did not stick up for
her. At last, after being beaten, she strung herself
up by her belt and tried to hang herself. Happily,
she was cut down in time and then they packed
her off to her mother's home and made no further
inquiries about her.
The mother, having heard of the hospital, came
along here a month ago and it was found the girl
61
was suffering from gastric ulcer. After treatment
it was decided to operate. They were quite willing,
as she had no hope in life if not bettered, so the
operation was done and has proved quite successful.
But not only that, they both seemed with open
hearts to receive the message we are here to give.
The old lady just drank in the way of salvation.
It was all so new and she was so understanding
that it was a treat to talk to her. They are going
home in a few days. The girl with pride announced
this morning that she had eaten four bowls of
food for breakfast, whereas before, of course, one
would have caused her intense pain.
Were you to look into one of our private rooms
you would see a young girl sitting on the side of
her bed — such a young, »sweet-faced woman with at
times a very sad, strained look on her face.
It is difficult to really find out the truth of all her
story, but it seems that she was a teacher in the
south and wished to marry a certain man there.
when suddenly her parents fixed up an engagement
for her with a man of this city. She was so upset
about it that after various happenings, she said she
would never speak again and became mad in her
behavior. Of course, she was dosed with the drugs
that the Chinese give for madness and then when
the time came, her mother brought her up by train
here for her wedding without saying how she was.
Not till after the wedding did the bridegroom find
out that he had, to all appearances, a mad wife.
About a month later they sent asking Dr. McDon-
ald to go and see her and we went together. It was
a pathetic sight. There was the bed with its hand-
some new silk curtains and hangings of lovely em-
broidery, and the girl dressed in a whole suit of
pretty green silk, but not uttering a word, having
to be pulled about by force to do anything. She
had not spoken at all for over twenty days. The
puzzle was, what was really wrong? Was it mad-
ness or hysteria or devil possession? How should
she be treated? Whatever the real trouble, we felt
rest was needed. As a bride she had been sur-
rounded with visitors all the time, and especially
being as she was, the crowds would have been
greater.
She has improved somewhat and will speak a
little but only along certain lines. She looks as
if she were going to answer a question and then her
brain fails her and she says nothing. We are pray-
ing that she may be restored.
But perhaps I have told enough about patients.
That is one side of the work. There are, of course,
the eight girls, whom we are doing our best to
make efficient nurses. The two elder ones finish
their four years with us this winter and we rather
wonder what we shall do in the spring if they both
leave then. One new little damsel, who promises
well, comes from Hankow but her dialect is so
different that when one has a class it is most diffi-
cult to know if she is answering correctly or not.
We have two Christian women now to act as
"amahs" and help with the patients at night, and by
day they wind bandages and prepare some of the
dressings. The work is so large it is not possible
for the nurses to keep up with all this. In the men's
hospital there are about one hundred patients, and
being nearly all surgical cases much is required
every day.
At morning prayers with the staff I am going
through the books of Kings and Chronicles and as
most of them know very little of this part of their
Bibles, it is most interesting teaching them. Five
of the girls have a class on Sundays in the women's
Sunday School, so one afternoon in the week Mrs.
Guinness has a preparation class to help them get
ready for this.
We all help with the work on Sundays in the
city, taking various classes, and any patients who
ire able, go in also. Of course, new people have no
idea about keeping quiet, not talking or moving
about during class or service, and one has to be
always looking after them, holding up a warning
finger or giving a vigorous poke. At the services
we keep the newcomers and children at the back so
that they can go out when tired of listening. The
other Sunday I was busy talking to the room-full
of women when I noticed all eyes seemed to be
looking past me, and turning round I saw one of
our patients with her medicine bottle and small
winecup carefully taking her dose of Bismuth mix-
ture which she had carried in to service with her,
quite distracting the attention of the whole meet-
ing. She saw nothing in the least out of the order
in so doing, nor did they.
Oh, it takes time to get Bible facts and truths
into the people. Dr. McDonald, taking prayers
with our servants the other day, asked, "Whom
was the book of Romans written to?" "Abraham,"
promptly replied the cook. He quite forgets prob-
ably that some time ago when she asked him who
Abraham was that he said, "God." The name
\braham is rather long and seems to make a big
impression on their minds.
Our Shanghai Letter
By the Secretary of the China Council, Mr. JAMES STARK, writing on January 29th and February 24th, 1920
At the Close of 1919. As in past
years, December 31st was observed
as a day of intercession throughout
the Mission. At this centre we had
hallowed seasons of waiting upon
God in thanksgiving for His gracious
dealings with us, in confession of
failure and in united prayer for in-
creased blessing and fruitfulness in
every branch of the work. We were
very conscious of His presence in our
midst, and we were encouraged to
expect more mighty manifestations of
His power and grace in the conver-
sion of souls and in the spiritual
growth of the Chinese church during
the new year.
At the end of the year there were
243 stations. The number of baptisms
thus far reported for the year is
6,185, which breaks all previous
records, being 106 in excess of the
grand total for the previous year.
Since the letter of January 29th, 381
baptisms have been reported. Of
these 275 took place before Decem-
ber 31st, bringing the total for the
year up to 6,443, being 381 in excess
of that for the previous year. We
CHINA'S MILLIONS
A Prospective View. We feel that
in view of its numerical strength the
Chinese church should be a greater
spiritual force than it is, and wield a
wider influence than it does. In not
a few instances, spiritual declension
has crept in, with all its attendant
evils, and there is a need of revival
of vital religion. In order that the
spiritual life of the church as a cor-
porate body may be deepened, the
importance of using every possible
means of quickening the lives of the
individual members has been recog-
nized, and with this in view special
missions have been held and united
prayer urged upon the converts. One
of the chief causes of weakness in
the church to-day is the illiteracy of
a large proportion of the Christians,
and we trust that the introduction of
the national phonetic script, which
many of them are now eager to learn,
will be a means of blessing to those
who have not hitherto been able to
read the Word of God for themselves.
Dangers. There is at the present
time a grave danger of the church
becoming a political agency. Certain
of its leaders are advocating identifi-
cation with movements which the
more spiritual section feel would
result in its destruction as a spiritual
organization. Moreover, you will
readily understand that, with the
nation divided into factions, were the
church to compromise itself by taking
sides, its safety and that of the for-
eign missionary would be endangered.
The prevailing conditions constitute
a loud call to prayer that God will
give wisdom to all who have re-
sponsibility for guiding the church
through this critical period, and for
educating its members as to how they
may best fulfil the duties of Christian
citizenship.
Encouragements. There was never
a year when direct evangelism was
more constantly emphasized, and
never were the results more encour-
aging. Almost everywhere the atti-
tude of the people toward the Gospel
is one of tolerance, where in years
gone by it was characterized by oppo-
sition, and there is a very general
readiness to give at least a respectful
hearing to the divine message, while
in the cases of large numbers a genu-
ine interest is manifested. This is
certainly a day of opportunity. The
reports which are reaching us from
the provinces give evidence of pro-
gress and blessing, and an outlook
which is distinctly hopeful.
The Chinese church is beginning
to recognize its responsibility, and
this is finding expression in increased
willingness on the part of the con-
verts to engage in voluntary effort
for the salvation of their fellowmen.
It has been further revealed in their
financial response to the appeals
made on behalf of the Yunnan Home
Missionary Society. which was
brought into being about a year ago 1
with a view to entering the unreached
parts of that province, and more
recently in the interest manifested
in the "China for Christ" movement,
which is likely to lead to a great
united effort for the evangelization
of the country. If wisely directed,
this movement should become a
means of blessing to the Chinese
church, furnishing the zeal and devo-
tion of its members with a fresh
incentive.
Membership of the Mission. During
the year we had the pleasure of wel-
coming 44 new workers from the
home lands. Of these, two arrived
from England, seventeen from North
America, eleven from Australasia,
five from Norway and nine from
Sweden. In addition to these, one
member and one associate were
accepted in China, making a total of
27 new members and 19 associates.
Further, 2 associates were re-admit-
ted. Thus we added 48 missionaries
to our list. Against this, however,
we lost by death 6 members and 2
associates, while 16 members perman-
ently retired from the work for
health, family and other reasons. The
total number of missionaries on our
list on December 31st was, therefore,
members 765 and associates 316, mak-
ing a grand total of 1,081.
To and from Furlough. Last year
74 members and 26 associates left for
furlough, while 47 members and 12
associates returned to the field. A
very considerable proportion of the
passage money of the members who
went home was provided apart from
the Mission's general fund.
Arrivals in China. On February 7th
we had the pleasure of welcoming
Miss M. E. Standen back from fur-
lough in North America and with her,
Mr. F. K. Riis and Miss G. S. Limi,
two new workers from Norway, for
the Norwegian Alliance Mission in
Shensi. .On the 9th Miss E. Twidale
arrived from England, and on the
13th there reached us Mr. and Mrs.
W. Richardson and Miss G. Rugg,
bringing with them Miss N. C. Wil-
son, B.Sc, Miss A. G. Wilson and
Miss D. Wright Hay, three new
workers from England. To-day
(February 24th) there arrived from
North America, Mr. and Mrs. Faw-
cett Olsen, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Jensen,
Miss L. Norden and Miss Blomquist
who has been sent out to teach the
children of our Scandinavian Alliance
associate workers in the school at
Sianfu.
Departures from China. On Janu-
ary 24th Miss J. B. Pearse sailed for
England via North America. On
Pebruary 12th there sailed for Eng-
land, Mr. and Mrs. G. Andrew. Mr.
and Mrs. G. F. Andrew and child, Mr.
and Mrs. H. J. Mason, Mr. R. F. Har-
ris, Miss E. H. Allibone, Miss E. M.
Tucker, Miss H. E. Levermore and
Mr. H. T. Ford's second son William.
On the 22nd, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lyons
and child, and Mr. and Mrs. C. A.
Jamieson and child sailed for Aus-
tralia.
Marriages. On January 29th Mr. F.
S. Barling and Miss L. J. T. Scott
were united in marriage at Wenchow,
and on February 5th Mr. C. J. Berg-
qvist to Miss H. C. Anderson at Ki-
kunghan.
The Problem of Station Responsi-
bility. With the large number of fur-
loughs which, for lack of steamer
accommodation and funds, have had
to be deferred and must now take
effect if the efficiency of the future
service of the workers concerned is
not to be impaired, the staff at many
of the stations will be depleted, and
we are experiencing not a little diffi-
culty in arranging for the oversight
of the work. This difficulty is in-
creased by the fact that among the
new workers who have come to us
during the period of the war, the pro-
portion of men has been small. What
is true of our general work, also
applies to our hospitals and schools.
We need several doctors and men
with special scholastic qualification if
our medical and educational work is
to be as efficiently maintained as it
should be. We shall value your
prayers that these and all our other
needs may be adequately met.
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Pray that service for Jesus may
never usurp the place of Jesus Him-
self in the minds and hearts of all
workers in this Mission, and that all
may be sound in doctrine, in faith,
in charity and in patience (pages 51
and 52).
Pray for those left behind by our
late Council member (p. 54).
Pray for the idolatrous and godless
homes of China, giving God thanks
for the Christian homes (pp. 54 and
56).
Give thanks for Mr. and Mrs.
Fiddler's safe journey to their sta-
tion, remembering their isolation in
it (p. 56).
Pray for the girls in Mission
schools, remembering their heathen
homes and the betrothals which
parents often make for them, bind-
ing them to unconverted husbands
(P. 57).
Pray for the little "shepherd boy"
(P. 57).
Pray that God will bring people
of "prepared hearts" to the hearing
of the Gospel in hospitals and other
places (p. 60).
Thank God for the increase of the
Mission in its number of mission-
aries and its large increase in
baptisms over previous years (pp. 61
and 62).
Ask that God will bless the national
phonetic script and bring the Gospel
to many former illiterates (p. 62).
Pray for those responsible in guid-
ing the Chinese church through these
days of crisis (p. 62)
Continued on page 64.
63
Editorial Notes
A CONVINCING and urgent book has been
written by one who was once a member of
the Mission, the Rev. J. W. Bouldin, which
faces the various excuses a young man or woman
may make who desire to evade missionary responsi-
bilities and which demolishes these as fast as they
are raised. "The Call of the Word" deserves a wide
circulation among young people, for it has a bless-
ing to bring to such. Its cost is 65 cents and it
may be obtained from the J. P. Bell Company,
Lynchburg, Virginia.
The Mission in Great Britain is arranging to hold
another summer school and conference. As was
the case last year, it is to be held at Swanwick,
Derbyshire, and the time is from June 7th to the
12th. The host and hostess will be Dr. and Mrs.
J. Stuart Holden. Dr. Holden, Bishop Cassells, the
Rev. A. A. Cooper and the Misses Cable and French
will be among the speakers. We earnestly hope
that the gathering will be a most happy and profit-
able one.
May we give this early notice to the effect that
we are arranging to hold our summer conference
as usual. It will be held at Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, and from Tuesday, June 29th, through
Sunday, July 4th. The speakers will be drawn
from the membership of the Council, and there is
hope that we shall have with us this year both Dr.
Torrey and Dr. Farr. It is probable, in addition,
that Dr. and Mrs. F. Howard Taylor will return
from China in time to be present at the gathering.
Circulars giving further particulars will be sent out
at a later time. Meanwhile, may not much prayer
be offered that all arrangements may be made
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Mr. Wallace, our Treasurer at Toronto, has been
looking over our financial records and writes as
follows concerning them : "Our total receipts for
the last five years, for North America, have been
$712,481.46, which is practically double that of any
previous five years. We ran over the first million
in 1913, and we are now well into the second, the
total receipts from 1888 to 1919 having been
$1,824,518.62." Not a penny of the above sums
has been solicited, except from God, so that the
whole represents answered prayer and the faith-
fulness of a faithful Creator. How much we have
to be thankful for and how we ought to praise our
covenant-keeping God ! We love to live in depend-
ence upon such an One as He, for His largess is
very great.
It has saddened us greatly to hear of the death
of the Rev. George S. Fisher, of Kansas City,
Missouri. Mr. Fisher was the founder of the Gos-
pel Missionary Union and its president and general
superintendent. He was visiting Ecuador, South
America, when he was stricken with typhoid fever
and it appears that he soon passed away. He leaves
a widow at Kansas City, for whom we bespeak the
prayers of our friends. He also leaves a work in
the States — in several cities and among the Navajo
Indians — and in various foreig'n countries — par-
ticularly Ecuador and Morocco— which will be
greatly bereft, as it was peculiarly dependent upon
his leadership and ministry, and for this service also
we bespeak the prayers of our friends. Mr. Fisher
was a devoted man, who valiantly strove to defend
the faith and to fulfil the Lord's last command. The
world, therefore, is much the poorer for his death.
One of China's leading Christian statesmen, as
quoted in the "Missionary Review of the World,"
has recently written these words : "The outlook for
China is exceedingly dark and very seriously
dangerous. The whole country is torn by factions.
As a result of this internal strife there is really no
spot in China which you may call safe, where life
and property are adequately protected. What will
happen to China I do not know ; whether she will
live as a nation I do not know. We need Jesus
Christ to-day because We need more light. There
is utter darkness and it is largely the ignorance of
the people that has been the cause of all the great
trouble in China. We need Christ because of the
richer life which He brings; and I do not believe
that richer life can come to China unless we have
a penitent life with which to begin. This is the
only hope, so far as I can see." These are fore-
boding words, giving a somewhat hopeless view of
China's present and future. It is to be remembered,
however, that it is an inside and illuminated view,
as expressed by one who is native born and experi-
enced and who sees things from the Christian
standpoint. We shall do well, therefore, to give
them due consideration and renewedly to wake to
the fact that China's only hope is Christ.
"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely — think on these things" (Philippians
4:8). Jenny Lind, the famous singer, was once
asked by a friend, as she sat on the seashore, why
she had ceased singing in opera. The great
songstress had been reading the Bible and it was
toward evening, the sun being at its setting. Jenny
Lind sitting thus on the beach replied, "Because,
my dear, every day I was thinking less and less of
that" — pointing to the sunset — "and nothing at all
of that" — pointing to the Bible. In other words,
the time came when Jenny Lind found she had to
make choice between the glamor of the earthly and
the glory of the heavenly. And, being a Christian,
she made decision in favor of God and her own
soul. And this is the choice which we are asked
to make day by day. There is indeed a glamor
about the earthly, which is very deceiving and like-
wise very enticing, and our thoughts go out easily
and merrily toward all it represents. But it all ends
in death. Happy it is for us, therefore, if we make
our decision for the glory of the good and eternal.
Holiness is the price which a Christian has to pay
for fellowship with God and holiness begins and
continues in bringing the thoughts into subjectivity
to Christ.
CHINA'S MILLIONS
PRAYER CALLS AND PRAISE
ECHOES
.«,-,/ fro
page 62
Pray that the new workers in China
may be blessed in their studies and
early work, and that the other work-
ers returning may have God's guid-
ance and blessing as thev resume,
(p. 62).
Please pray for men with special
medical and scholastic qualifications,
together with workers for all phases
of the Mission's labor in China (p.
62).
Pray for blessing upon the summer
school and conference at Swanwick,
England, and the summer conference
on this side at Niagara-on-the-Lake,
asking that God may guide in all
particulars (p. 63).
Give Thanks for the Mission's
financial growth in North America
(p. 63).
Remember "China's only hope is
Christ" (p. 63).
NOTES FROM CHINA.
Among the baptisms reported to
our Shanghai office in the closing
months of 1919 are 108 in the dis-
trict of Sapushan, 31 at Hsinshao,
and 110 at Taku (station and out-
stations) from which Mr. and Mrs. I.
Page have just come home. These
are all in Yunnan and in the region
occupied principally by tribes people,
showing that the readiness of these
people to accept the Gospel con-
tinues. From Kiating, Szechwan,
where Mr. and Mrs. Ririe are in
charge, 16 baptisms of Chinese were
reported late in the year; also 5 from
the city of Kihsien, Shansi, under the
care of Mr. and Mrs. Falls; and 54
in outstations of the Wenchow dis-
trict in Chekiang; with 44 from the
centre and outstations of Laohokow,
Hupeh, in charge of Dr. and Mrs.
Lagerquist and where Miss Ruby
Thompson and Miss Ida Wilson are
working. These figures show the
wide distribution in China of the
significant increase in baptisms to
which attention is called in "Our
Shanghai Letter," page 62.
ARRIVALS.
February 7th, 1920, at Shanghai,
Miss M. E. Standen, returned from
North America.
February 24th, at Shanghai, Mr.
and Mrs. Fawcett Olsen, returned
from North America.
March 26th, at Vancouver, Mr. and
Mrs. F. H. Rhodes and son Bernard,
from China.
March 28th, at St. John, N.B., Mr.
D. E. Hoste, from England.
March 29th, at Vancouver, Mr. and
Mrs. H. A. Weller and two children,
from China.
DEPARTURES.
April , 1920, from New York,
the Misses Eva and Francesca
French and Miss A. Mildred Cable,
for England.
April 10th, from Philadelphia, Rev.
and Mrs. K. Macleod, for Scotland.
April 10th, from St. John, N.B., Mr.
and Mrs. H. A. Weller and two chil-
dren, for England.
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, MARCH, 1920
2—326..
327..
3—328..
31 66
25 00
5 00
40 00
10 00
1500 00
1000 00
10 00
10 00
15 00
15 00
PHILADELPHIA
Amount
$ 5 50
20 00
5 00
20 00
2 00
10 00
25 00
25 00
5 00
10 00
10 00
5 00
5 00
1 00
4 50
100 00
15 00
250 00
5 00
25 00
2 00
.5 00
75 00
10 00
25 00
5 00
100 00
93 75
1 00
24 50
87 00
436. . .
112 36
25 00
30—437. . .
1500 00
5 00
439 .. .
25 00
101 30
440. ..
5 00
25 00
5 00
25 00
443.. .
2 00
57 55
31—447..
23 81
5 00
448. . .
25 00
10 00
452. . .
10 00
5 00
50 00
$8,993 54
6 00
50
25 00
SPECIAL
PURPOSES
Date No.
Amount
25 00
1—325..
S10 00
5 00
3—331 . .
20 00
10 00
332..
10 00
20 00
333..
133 00
23—412..
413..
26—416. .
15 00
25 00
180 83
20 00
5 00
14 00
5 00
10 00
20 00
5 00
8 50
5 00
5 00
25 00
28 00
30 00
31 25
37 50
25 00
2 00
1 50
1 00
1 00
2 00
15 00
6 00
10 00
50 00
5 00
:,iio on
5 00
22 50
50 00
10 00
25 00
30 00
5 00
5 00
TORONTO
MISSIONARYfAND
Date No.
Amount
Date No.
Amount
GENERAL PURPOSES
10—345. . . .
346
$ 5 00
1 00
26—106...
407...
$'10 25
7 00
11—347
4 00
27—408. . .
15 00
Date No. Amount
348. . . .
6 00
409...
18 70
1—293 SI 16 13
349
50 00
30— ill...
121 03
294 2 00
350. . . .
5 00
31—413...
2 00
295 5 00
352. . . .
15 00
415...
22 50
296 5 00
12—353. . . .
24 87
297 1 00
13—356....
200 00
$1,817 26
298 5 00
357
9 50
300 5 00
358. . . .
5 00
SPECIAL
PURPOSES
301 4 00
359
1 00
302 1 50
15—360....
19 00
Date No.
Amount
303.... 187 50
361....
10 00
1—299...
$ 25 00
304. ... 50
363....
20 00
306...
20 00
305. ... 1 50
365
25 00
307...
30 00
308 20 00
366. . . .
38 32
2—310...
5 00
2—309 1 00
16—367....
2 00
312...
10 00
311.... 5 02
369
10 00
314. . .
35 00
313... 10 00
17—373....
2 00
4—330...
20 10
315.... 65 00
19—376...
65 00
6—335. ..
18 75
316... . 3 00
20—378
10 00
8—337...
5 00
317. ... 2 00
379
91 53
9—340..
25 15
318.... 10 00
380
10 00
341 . .
20 00
319. ... 7 70
381
2 50
11—351 .
30 00
320 ... . 20 00
22—382
5 00
12— 354 .
100 00
321. . 10 00
383
20 00
13—355
80 00
322. ... 25 00
384
10 00
15—362 .
30 00
323 2 00
385....
10 00
364
5 00
324.... 1 00
386....
5 00
16—368
65 00
325 1 00
2 00
17—370. . .
10 00
326.... 1 00
2 00
371 .. .
1 00
327... 3 74
10 00
372..
3 00
4—328... 25 00
390...'
5 00
374.
10 00
329 5 00
2 85
19—375 . .
20 00
331.... 6 00
23—393 '.'.'.'.
2 00
20—377 .
10 00
332 2 56
394 . .
5 00
23—392
31 25
5—333 10 00
395. . .
4 50
24 — 401
20 00
334 ... . 43 04
396
5 00
402..
4 00
6—336. ... 25 00
397 .
1 00
25—403
100 00
9—338. . 1 50
5 00
29—410. .
9 00
339 . 20 00
24—399 '.'.'.'.
2 00
31—412
3 00
342 92 50
400.
50 00
43 00
343. . 50 00
25 — 404
5 00
344... 25 00
10 52
$788 25
SUMMARY
Fiom Philadelphia—
For Missionary and General Purposes $8,993 54
For Special Purposes 1,611 58
From Toronto — ■
For Missionary and General Purposes $1,817 26
For Special Purposes 788 25
Previously acknowledged, 1920.
VOL. XXVHI. No. 5 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.50 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
r. December 12. 1917. at the post office at Buffa
for mailing at special rate of postage P rov,ded for ii
authorized July 18, 1918
MISSION OFFICES
GERM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
TORONTO
MAY, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO, ONT
EBENEZER
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE. SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST, PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Out.
E. A. Brownlee, Acting Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Grayer Union Secretary
J. 0. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rot. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chaa. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, NJ.
Rev. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Gtler, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavlsh, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Gormantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go Into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or persona]
solicitation of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers,
seme of whom are supported from the Misaion
funds, and others provided for by themselves
er by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1.600 stations and
outstatlons have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries »r native
laborers. There were 6,443 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 45,000 communicants.
Since 1865, over 70,600 converts have been
baptized.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School L
507 Church Street, Tor
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
rrespondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applicanoi
i should be made to " The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at
In the case of a donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fond of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home at abroad
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a duMtina Ic
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as fof
' ' and for the private use of that individual.
n <se.
to be expended (or the appro-
priate objeeti of laid Mission ;
and 1 direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
■ion thall be a sufficient dis-
charge for my executors in the
B and bequeath. FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise ease lee
note) the sum of China Inland Mission (see note), all that certain (beas
dol lars, | insert description of property) with the appurteaaaeea
in fee simple, for the use, beae-
fit and behalf of said Miosis*
forever; and direct that the re-
lease of the Home Direeser of
the premises.
NOTE-In case the will is made out la
the United States, the following words
need to be inserted: "having offices at
Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. - * In case
ade out in Canada the fel-
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follow.:
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane Friday
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic City).
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale, C.I.M. Representati'
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St .
Mound, Minn., Res., Mr. F. E. Tallant . . .
Tacoma. Wash.
. Res., Mrs. Billington, 811 So. Junett St. . .
Wednesday.
6506 Ventnor Ave. . Friday
WEEKLY
8.00 p.m.
8.00 p.m.
Mon. Afternoon
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home. 507 Church St Frida;
Vancouver, B.C.
Res.. Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representative. 1017 Tenth Avi
8.00 p.m.
specially arranged
Broadway W 2nd & 4th Friday . . 8 . 00 p.m
Bible Training School. -„« .
West Vancouver last Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Y.W.C.A.. Dunsmuir St last \\ ednesday
St. Louis, Mo.
MONTHLY
Albany, N.Y., Bible School, 107 Columbia St 1st Thurs. (morn).. 8. 30 a.m.
Buffalo. N.Y., Res.. Mi- .... 3rd Tuesday . .
Lockport, N.Y.,
Cleveland. Ohio,
es., Mrs. W. B. Singleton. 189 East Ave last Tuesday
tes.. Miss Z. A. Broughton. 1 -'-'?. Cedar Ave Nt Monday 7.30 p.m.
Detroit Mich., Res., A' Man ford Ave 3rd Friday 8.00 p.m.
Grand Rapids, Mich., Wealthy St. Bap. Church. .Thurs. preceding 1st Sunday. .8.00 p.m
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec, Mr- I.J. 1. Lee 2nd Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch., 23rd Ave. S. and
8th St Thurs. after 1st. Sunday.
Bethel, Minn.', The Baptist Church Wed. after 1st Sunday.
Los Angeles, Cal., Res.. Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie
Aye 2nd Monday 7.45 p.m.
Berkeley, Cal'.', Res'. 'Mrs! Rakestraw, 2518 Dana St 1st Thursday .8.00 p.m.
Sherwood, Ore., Res., Dr. Fosner . . .1st Tuesday 2 .30 p.m.
Seattle. Wash.. Res.. Mr. O. G. Whipple. 1816 3Sth Ave. N 2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Bellingham, Wash., Alternately at Y.W.C.A. and Res.. Mr
F. M. Mercer, 2132 Walnut St 2nd & 4th Monday 8.00 p.m.
Halifax, N.S., At various homes. Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty.^
, Com'd'r. Stephens,
Niagara Falls, Ont., Res., Mr. D. McLea
Hamilton, Ont., Caroline St. Mission (!
Supt.) .
4.00 p.m.
8.00 p.m.
s homes,
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont
Winnipeg, Man., Res.. Mrs. W.
Cres
Calgary, Alberta. Re<
. 1st Wednesday.
.4th Friday
1st Tuesday.
. 1st Wednesday
L. Forde, 1328 11th A
8.00 p.m.
S.OO p.m.
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO. MAY, 1920
Be Patient
By Rev. MAX 1. REICH
ONE of the sweetest names by which the divine
Being has revealed His heart is that which
calls Him "the God of Patience." And truly,
human history, and our own lives in particular,
abundantly illustrate this divine characteristic.
Israel's watchmen, as they looked abroad upon
wrongs that called for righting and evils that
demanded judgment, cried out: "Lord, how long?"
for they marvelled at the divine
patience that suffered the wrong
and bore with the evil. And yet was
their "how long" cry, "faith's
mighty question," as one of old put
it. for it implied that the long,
strange silence of God would be
broken one day.
Rightly understood, the patience
of God is the salvation of man ; and
our Lord, as the incarnate Word,
was and is the perfect embodiment
of that patience. "Sit Thou at M\
right hand until...."; from hence-
forth "expecting till," are words
which unveil the mystery of the
strong, silent, patient Christ.
His forerunner began to doubt
Him because his hopes of drastic
dealings with the evils of society,
the hewing down of corrupt
growths and the burning up of the
chaff in the baptism of fiery judg-
ment, did not materialize in the lett
ministry of the Son of man. He was out of sym-
pathy with the new spirit. And therefore said the
Master: "Blessed is he that shall not be offended in
Me" — offended with My patience. But may we not
believe that the lonely prisoner in the tower of
Macharea, before his martyrdom, like Him in whose
power and spirit he had come, got a glimpse of the
dispensation of the still, small Voice, superior to
his whirlwind, earthquake "and fire ministry? He,
we may trust, came to rest his troubled heart in the
mighty patience of God.
And we, too, need patience — patience, it seems
o me, with one another, with ourselves and with
God. We need patience with our fellows, because,
after all, our brother is a veiled mystery to us.
We so easily judge by the appearance only. I
believe that in the spiritual and eternal world will
be a great transvaluation of all values. We hastily
condemn now, not knowing the secrets of human
hearts. We are ready to call down fire from heaven
under the
on our Samaritan neighbor, like the sons of Zebe-
dee, when with a little patience even Samaria shall
welcome Christ under the preaching of Philip the
evangelist. We may marvel that Troas should be
forbidden territory to the apostle, when after a few
years of patient waiting he could write from that
very Troas : "A great door and effectual is opened
to me of the Lord." We may despair of a vacilla-
ting John Mark to-day, and im-
patiently turn him down as Paul
once did, and yet the day may come,
as it came to him, when, forsaken
by others, a John Mark may prove
our comfort and support. After all.
the most of those we have to do
with are still in the making. And
if the promising blossoms of earlier
days have dropped off, let us not
think there has been a going back
because in the place of the fragrant
and beautiful flower, appears the
hard, sour, green fruit. Have
patience ! God's sunshine — yea, and
His frosts, too — shall succeed in
ripening and sweetening what is un-
palatable to-day. Be patient with
Jacob — he will yet become an Israel.
Be patient with impulsive Simon —
kiangsi evan- he will one day become a Cephas,
^m-HkiN^'mr' i.e., a rock-man. Be patient with
- R HAPPY WAYS the son of thunder ; when he has
become "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (because
he needs affection more than others), the sunshine
of that love will gradually expand his sectarian
mind, soften his bigotry, and sweeten the acidity
of his spirit, and yet leave him as loyal to Truth as
before.,
And do we not need patience with ourselves ? Thy
prayer for holiness has been answered by inward
turmoil. The hidden corruptions are brought to the
surface, as the scum in the new wine in the process
of clarifying, and the dross while the silver is in the
fining pot. Wouldst thou have a Pharisee's holi-
ness? A mere cloak of hypocrisy? Have patience
then, and believe that thou are not "the old man"
who is now passing through the process of inward
crucifixion, but thou art "the new man," crying, it
may be, out of the depths of self-despair, and wait-
ing for the Lord, more than they that watch for the
morning.
And above all, we need patience with God. God
is never in a hurry, and yet is never behind time.
CHINAS MILLIONS
There is a "fulness of time" for every fresh move in has all eternity to work in. and He will not let us
the kingdom of God and in the education of the hustle Him. He is working out His purposes to-
race. And God can afford to be calm, seeing He daw
Memorable Visits to Some Tribespeople in Yunnan
By Mrs. F. D. GAMEWELL*
THE tribespeople, even in Yunnan alone, consti-
tute a study so big and complex that, with
my limited knowledge, I would not dare to
attempt to write about them in a general way. But
personal experience ought not to be misleading, and
it sometimes furnishes sidelights which lead to a
clearer understanding of a subject.
The very day our Yunnan Mission party reached
Yunnanfu we saw Miao men. After that I met
them every time I went on the principal streets of
the city. They come in on foot from their moun-
The late Rev. J. R. Adam, of the China Inland
Mission in Kweichow, almost overwhelmed by the
scores and even hundreds crowding daily around his
door, wrote to Mr. F. J. Dymond, of the United
Methodist Mission in Chaotung, Yunnan, to draw
the people off. Then he said to them, "You are
from Yunnan. It is too far for you to come a nine
days' - journey to see me. Go to the missionary
nearer you." Soon such multitudes were pouring
into Mr. Dymond's compound that in self-defense
he told them that they need not come to him any
tain homes, twenty and more miles away, carrying more for he would go to them. A chapel on a con-
on their backs, wood, charcoal, underbrush, pme
cones, and ropes of pine needles which are used
for kindling. The load rests on an oblong wooden
frame kept in place by a broad thickly-woven
cotton band that passes across the forehead. It
must often bind cruelly, for I have many times on
the country roads seen men and women lifting it
away from their foreheads with both hands, and
holding it out as they trudged along, to relieve the
pressure. A load of wood usually brings thirty
cents.
Mr. J. Graham, a China Inland missionary in
Yunnanfu, has set aside several rooms in his com-
pound, where the Christian Miao, who come to the
capital, may stay overnight. Sometimes as many
as thirty women and children as well as men, have
camped there at one time. They are always quiet
and unobtrusive.
venient site was quickly built, and "then began a
strange, weird pilgrimage of endless processions of
aborigines across the Chaotung plain to the Hall of
Happy News." Work has continued there ever
since.
Fifteen days' journey over the mountains from
Chaotung is the Hwa Miao village of Sapushan.
News reached that place and the people began to
plead for a missionary to go and live among them.
It is an interesting fact that most of the work
among the tribesmen was started, not on the initia-
tive of the missionaries, but in response to the
urgent request of the people themselves. Mr. A. G.
Nicholls, of the China Inland Mission, was the
answer, after an interim of eight months, to the plea
that went forth from Sapushan. When the matter
was presented to him in Yunnanfu, he was ready
with his answer in just two hours. He said to
While the Chinese in the past have been slow to me, "It was easy to decide, for I had not the least
respond to the preaching of the Gospel, the
aborigines have shown themselves marvellously
receptive. The tribespeople, as a rule, accept
Christianity, not individually, but by villages, the
twenty-five families or so, in a village, mutually
agreeing to turn from their demon worship, destroy
its accessories, and become Christians. But this
does not mean that members are received wholesale
into the church. Missionaries are very cautious
doubt as to where my duty lay."
The following year Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone
Porteous were sent to reinforce the work, and the
little, obscure village of Sapushan was soon the
centre of a mighty religious awakening among the
Hwa Miao. The district covered reaches out a six
days' journey in all directions and embraces hun-
dreds of villages. Think of pastoral visitation in
a parish like that ! And try to picture it in the
about baptizing inquirers and keep them waiting rainy season, when the mountain passes, always bad
till they are" as sure as it is possible to be that their enough, are made doubly dangerous and difficult
conversion is genuine. on account of landslides, wild rushing torrents, and
Christian work among the aborigines of Yunnan, slippery yellow mud that often engulfs the traveler
who number, it is estimated, half of the population to the knees! Then there is the ever-present
of the province, really started just across the border danger from robbers, and the impossibility of carry-
ing much of anything in the way of foreign food
supplies, which necessitates subsisting for weeks at
a time on the coarse fare of the tribesmen. Mis-
sionaries to the aborigines can enter understanding-
ly into St. Paul's experiences in "journeyings often."
as some of us will never be able to do.
Yet with the best endeavors of the missionaries
to make their rounds, Christian villages are fre-
quently left for long months at a time without a
visit, "in each village there is usually a Christian
of Yunnan in Kweichow, with that tribal division
known as the Hwa Miao, so called because of the
bright, many-colored trimmings on the women's
dress, which give it a flowery effect.
*Mrs. F. D. Gamewell, whose article, appearing ori-
ginally in the "Chinese Recorder," is here given in
abridged form, has been ten years in China engaged in
traveling and evangelistic work in connection with the
Methodist Episcopal Mission, North. She is an advisory
member of the Executive Committee of the Chinese Mis-
sion to Yunnan.
69
leader, some person with a little- better knowledge
of the Bible and more experience in the Christian
life than the rest. In one village I found this leader
to be a young woman, little more than a girl.
Almost invariably the people remain true to the
faith, and this notwithstanding tests occasioned by
famine and persecution.
Like most tribal villages, Sapushan is a cluster of
only twenty or twenty-five little mud houses. But
on Sunday the Hwa Miao come from many villages
around, so that there is a congregation of several
hundred.
Our Yunnan Mission party was obliged to ap-
proach the village from the west, which is the
precipitous ascent. Up, and up, and up we toiled
over the well-nigh perpendicular path. The only
way I managed was by having a stout coolie grasp
each hand and pull me, along by main force. The
phrase oftenest on my lips during those days of
country traveling in Yunnan — a most useful and
necessary one for it brought my coolies to a halt —
was, "Woti ch'i pu kou !" ("My breath is not suffi-
cient !")
At the Sunday morning service at Sapushan, we
heard the congregation sing among other hymns,
"O Happy Day that Fixed My Choice," "There Is a
Fountain Filled with Blood," and "All Hail the
Power of Jesus' Name" to "Coronation." How the
melody rolled out! Not a single false note was
struck and the people sang with a spirit and fervor
which moved me deeply. The aborigines, like the
Welsh, are natural singers. Non-Christians are
wont at times to indulge in wild orgies lasting most
of the night, when they sing obscene ditties to the
accompaniment of crude, but sweet-sounding musi-
cal instruments. After becoming Christians they
rarely if ever use these instruments on account of
their associations.
Christian aborigines, unlike many Occidentals,
make no objection to lengthy services. Indeed, the
longer they are, the better pleased they seem to be.
I was told that on the Sunday before our visit
to Sapushan the morning service comprised eleven
hymns, eight prayers, three addresses, and the
Sacrament ! It is not uncommon for members of
distinctly different tribes, as well as those of related
tribes, to meet together for worship. This happens
usually only at the time of one of the annual festi-
vals. On one such occasion at Sapushan the
missionary in charge gave out the hymn that is as
much a favorite with the aborigines as with the
Chinese, "Jesus Loves Me," in seven different
languages 'and dialects. This hymn and another
sung by the tribal Christians, "Jesus Saves," have
led to the conversion of hundreds.
The chief occupation of the Hwa Miao, like most
of the mountain tribesmen, is farming, the land
being rented from Chinese officials or over-lords of
superior tribes, the latter often proving to the
peace-loving Miao more of a menace than the
Chinese. Their little cultivated patches dot the
mountain sides around their villages. Their staple
food is buckwheat, which is mixed with water, and
made into thick, dark, doughy cakes. Rice is a
luxury, as it will not grow on the high mountains
and the people can seldom afford to buy it.
The women hold to the distinctive tribal dress,
but most of the men wear Chinese clothes. The
women spin and dye. the hempen thread, weave it
into cloth, then applique and embroider their gar-
ments in variegated colors. The finished costume,
which often takes a Miao woman, busy with her
field work-in the day time, three years to make, is
coarse but extremely picturesque. She wears her
hair, after her first child is born, twisted into the
shape of a horn on the front of her head. Miao
women, like tribeswomen generally, do not bind
their feet.
The people are noted for their honesty. In illus-
tration of the way that they can be trusted, Mr.
Nicholls tells of going away once on a two months'
evangelistic trip, and leaving in his study, whose
door had no lock on it, many large baskets filled
with strings of cash. When he returned he found
the room undisturbed and not a cash missing.
Famine conditions this last spring were not as
bad among the tribespeople in Yunnan as in Kwei-
chow, yet both Miao and Lisu in parts of the north-
west were reduced to eating roots of ferns, first
pounding out the juice, then boiling it till the pulp
turned black. Even this food could be had only in
small quantities and contained so little nutriment
CHINAS MILLIONS
**■ V***" >i\
.•4->.
'*.
%
^ jv2»^ <
iy
W
alfll *
f* ^^
J. . 33Hu
Tri
4 J #€^3i
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Ujjjl
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- i — " - . IV
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Photograph fry Mr. Charles II. Judd
that those feeding on it were soon too weak to
climb the mountains.
Five of our Yunnan party spent Easter Sunday
among the Lisu tribespeople at Ta'ku. It has been
my privilege to worship on Easter Sunday in some
very interesting and unusual places in different
parts of the world, but I think that the experience
at Ta'ku was the most memorable, as it was cer-
tainly the most unique of them all.
The journey to Ta'ku, which leads off the main
road, is frankly admitted by the Yunnan mission-
aries to be one of the worst over which they travel.
We had not been long on the way before I had
broken my sun-glasses, my thermos bottle, anc the
handle of my sun umbrella, while my pith hat, torn
off my head times without number by sudden gusts
of wind on the mountains, had a habit of pirouetting
gaily out of reach till rescued by some long-suffer-
ing coolie. I finally fastened it in place with a large
fringed hand towel tied securely under my chin, an
effective device, which had the added merit of
furnishing entertainment for the wide-eyed inhabit-
ants of the villages through which we passed. Three
days out from Ta'ku we were met by Mr. G. E.
Metcalf, without whose company we should pro-
bably have lost our way, as the chair coolies were
unfamiliar with the road. The inns grew worse
and worse the farther we got from Yunnanfu. The
day before reaching Ta'ku, Mr. Metcalf said we had
gone beyond the region of inns and would stop that
night with a family in a village of Lisu. The Lisu
home proved to be at least as good as the inns,
which is not saying much. As soon as we arrived
people crowded into the courtyard, the women
decked out in all their finery, and we held a service
which was largely one of song, lasting late into the
night.
When still two hours' journey from Ta'ku, we
could see, on a distant mountain side, the glistening,
whitewashed walls of the chapel. Soon we began
meeting the Christians who had walked far out
over the rough roads to welcome us with songs
and banners. At the entrance to the village were
Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Gowman and their six months
old baby. "You cannot know what this visit means
to us !" exclaimed Mr. Gowman in his hearty way,
as he grasped our hands.
Services began on Easter Sunday with a sunrise
meeting, and ended late at night. There were
twenty-one baptisms, the Sacrament, and glorious
singing, some of the hymns being our well-known
Easter anthems in which the school boys had been
carefully drilled. The meetings continued through
Monday. Mr. Gowman told us that the eight
hundred people present had come from sixty vil-
lages. Many had been three and four days on the
way, old men past three score years and ten, and
mothers with babies on their backs leading little
children, all trudging uncomplainingly over the
mountains. They brought their own food and
slept while at Ta'ku in the homes of the villagers
or in rude quarters reserved for these periodic
gatherings.
Missionaries to the aborigines are content to live
in almost camp style. The simple furnishings of
the Gowman house are all of native manufacture
except just two articles, a wicker easy-chair and a
small organ, which were brought on the backs of
coolies from Yunnanfu. After reaching the top of
a particularly steep mountain, the coolie who was
carrying the organ dropped on his face on the
ground and cried like a baby from sheer exhaus-
tion.
Do not fancy the tired missionaries reposing at
night on spring mattresses ! Their beds are the
kind found in Chinese inns, several lengths of un-
painted timber resting on wooden legs, and covered
with a bamboo mat over which the bedding is laid.
Mrs. Gowman has made herself a straw mattress
which she considers a great luxury. When she
first went to Ta'ku, so far removed not only from
foreign food supplies, but Chinese as well, it was a
problem how to prepare nourishing meals for her
family. But necessity is the mother of invention,
and she soon acquired the art of evolving out of
native products a .variety of toothsome edibles,
even to a mince pie !
There are plenty of cows in the country, also
goats and some sheep. But rarely indeed is a cow
sacrificed for food, being too valuable in farm
work. Neither is it milked. The people never
heard of such a thing as milking a cow, and regard
the suggestion as the height of absurdity.
The Lisu women, like the Hwa Miao, weave and
embroider their own gowns, which are also made
of hemp. On Easter Sunday, when in his sermon.
Pastor Li of our party, drew an illustration from
the silkworm, the Lisu evangelist who was inter-
preting for him remarked, "We know nothing here
about silk. All we know is hemp."
The chapel at Ta'ku stands on ground which was
formerly the village threshing floor, and trees once
sacred to the worship of demons were cut down
to furnish supporting beams for the mud walls.
These sacrifices were made voluntarily, for the
chapel was built some time before missionaries
were sent to take charge of the work.
Self-support is strongly emphasized among both
the Hwa Miao and Lisu Christians. They build
their own chapels — there are thirty-three in the
Ta'ku district, with Christians in more than a hun-
dred villages — and, where there is a resident evan-
gelist, they give him a mud house of two rooms and
food and fuel. Each evangelist is paid thirty Mexi-
can dollars a year from mission funds At Ta'ku
on Easter Monday a meeting was held to stress
further self-support. The people responded royally,
poor as they are.
Hwa Miao and Lisu Christians are earnest evan-
gelists. Several Lisu men from Ta'ku have recent-
ly gone as missionaries among kindred tribesmen
in the southern part of the province, where a re-
markable work is being carried on by Mr. J. D.
Fullerton, formerly a member of the China Inland
Mission.
There is pressing need of school teachers among
the tribespeople. There are no women evangelists
among the aborigines, partly for the reason that
none are prepared to do the work of an evangelist,
and also because the social custom of the people
make it possible for a male evangelist to work
freely among both men and women.
Another urgent need among the tribespeople is
for doctors and hospitals, preferably native doctors.
who will itinerate widely. Mrs. Cowman, versatile
woman that she is. though not a doctor or a trained
nurse, can set bones, pull teeth, treat carbuncles and
do various and sundry other things when the neces-
sity arises. Her baby was born in Yunnanfu, and
when barely a month old, was brought to Ta'ku on
the back of a Lisu coolie. That sounds all right in
the telling, but 0, I shuddered as I thought of the
mountain roads! "Weren't you afraid?" I cried.
"There was nothing else to do." was the quiet reply.
"I could not carry baby myself, for I rode a horse."
Mr. Metcalf and Mrs. Gowman each made a
journey on separate occasions to Yunnanfu of which
they have little recollection, for it was when they
were very sick with typhoid fever. Think of travel-
ing six days over the Yunnan mountains and spend-
ing five nights in Chinese inns, to get to a doctor!
Mr. Gowman calls work among the aborigines
the "cream of missionary work." and we may thank
God there are rich compensations, for it calls for
men and women of heroic mold to do it.
I had an opportunity to visit some tribespeople
southwest of Yunnanfu. in company with Miss
Elizabeth Donnelly and Mr. H. A. C. Allen of the
China Inland Mission. Mr. Allen superintends this
work from his headquarters in the capital. We
visited four centres, in three of which the people,
without a copper of mission money, had built pretty,
commodious chapels. On our arrival we found the
chapels draped with Chinese flags, and the floors
freshly covered with fragrant pine needles.
The roads we were obliged to travel over were
infested with robbers. The inhabitants of several
villages would flock together for mutual protec-
tion while all the able-bodied men, armed with a
motley collection of rude weapons, went forth to
hunt the bandits. Women hid the family heir-
looms, perhaps burying them. Some were living
on almost starvation rations, their crops having
been destroyed and their stores stolen. The Chris-
tians who came out on the road to meet us carried
rifles to protect both themselves and us from a
sudden attack.
During our last night at the first tribal village we
visited, a rather exciting incident occurred. We
were in the midst of a lively testimony meeting
when word was brought to us that torches were to
be seen on a nearby mountain coming our way and
that voices could be heard singing our hymns. It
happened that in this village the head man was bit-
terly opposed to Christianity, and on the occasion
11
CHINAS MILLIONS
of Mr. Allen's previous visit, a year or two before,
had threatened to kill every Christian in the place.
It was now suspected that this man had gathered a
band of rowdies from his own and neighboring
villages, and was on his way to carry out his
original threat, the company singing our hymns in
derision. But our fears proved groundless, for we
soon learned that the men were Christians from
villages two, three and four days' distant. They
had heard that Mr. Allen was in those parts and
had made the long, w r earisome journey to beg him
to visit their villages before going home, which I
am glad to report he did.
After the interruption, the testimony meeting
was resumed with songs of praise and prayers of
thanksgiving. It made a weird scene — the chapel
with its shadows only partly dispelled by the fitful
gleam from two small, smoky lamps hanging from
the ceiling,- and two rapidly diminishing candle tips
on the unpainted pulpit; rows of dark men and
women (the latter in striking tribal dress) sitting
facing each other, and, in the space between them.
a generous sprinkling of tribes babies, their funny
little headdresses awry, sleeping peacefully on a
carpet of pine needles. Through the open door we
could hear the sighing of the night wind among the
tall pines, and catch glimpses of the star-studded
sky. How far away we felt from the busy, clamor-
ous, outside world !
Our last stopping place, which was also the most
distant. Mr. Allen himself had never seen before.
For three years it had been the centre of a rapidly
growing work, started at the solicitation of the
people by one of Mr. Allen's evangelists. We were
enthusiastically welcomed. For us the fatted pig
and goat were killed, and in the public kitchen
temporarily established under some trees near the
chapel, rice was kept steaming most of the day and
night.
Miss Donnelly and I slept in the home of the
headman of the village, occupying a small room
with thirteen others, six women and seven children.
Although the weather was warm, a fire was kept
burning for some hours after we went to bed, pre-
sumably to furnish light, and as there was no
chimney, our eyes were soon smarting from the
smoke. The head of the house put in an appear-
ance from time to time, once to discipline a small
lad, and again apparently to lecture the women on
household etiquette. But such episodes, if not
wholly conductive to rest, had their humorous and
informing aspect.
At this place, thirty-seven men and an equal
number of women were baptized, among them the
headman and his family.
The forenoon of the day we left, the Chinese over-
lord came from his home, six or seven miles away,
to pay his respects to Mr. Allen and express his
interest in the Christian religion. His deceased
brother, who preceded him in office, had been a
merciless persecutor of the tribespeople.
The missionaries in Yunnan that I was able to
talk with, are agreed that of the total number of
Christians in the two provinces. Kweichow and
Yunnan, at least eigthy per cent, are aborigines.
Hundreds of Chinese families, they told me, have
been led to accept Christianity through the direct
influence of the tribespeople, while very many who
are already Christians have, by example of the
tribesmen, been drawn into a deeper religious ex-
perience. Aborigines by the hundreds are asking
for baptism ; Chinese by units and tens.
Yet after all this is said, it is unquestionably true
that the Christian leaders of the future are destined
to be the Chinese and not the aborigines, except
among those of their own race. Both peoples are
crying out consciously or sub-consciously for the
Bread of Life and both need our help. We dare not
turn a deaf ear to either. This work "ought ye to
have done and not to leave the other undone."
"Kept" and "Delivered'
By Mrs. T. A. S. ROBINSON, Chowchih, Shens
IN the early part of December. 1917, brigands took
possession of our city for ten days. Later, they
were driven out by government troops but left
the city in a terrible state, having taken everything
they could lay hands on. We were kept very busy
doing Red Cross work ; I attended several hundred
wounded.
Since that time, we have been either in the hands
of the brigands or the government troops, and which
are the worse it is difficult to say.
The brigands loot every village ; then the govern-
ment troops come along and take everything left
by the brigands, showing no pity or consideration,
till it is said, "The brigands treat us better than the
government soldiers."
The poor people have hardly known how to exist.
The stealing and outraging of young wives and
girls is common, so that many dare not stay in their
villages, but in spite of the frost and snow have
hidden in the fields, or if they could get away have
fled to the hills. Mothers have found their babies
dead in their arms from having pressed them too
tightly during the night in order to stifle their
cries.
The opium is a curse. Both robbers and govern-
ment troops want it. They shoot people, burn their
hacks with incense sticks or lighted tapers, and
even break their victims' bones, in order to make
them confess where it is hidden. Last July, August
and September, the civil governor of the province
was buying up the opium and his soldiers came to
escort the carts laden with the drug. Sometimes
one set of his men would ambush another, making
off with their booty to the southern hills.
In September when the opium was all prepared
for the market, the brigands came to the east side
73
1 1 -
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sniii
*
3m .^ ^ ; ©' $
in thousands, occupying the villages, living on the
people, and taking all they could find. The poor
souls dare not say a word for fear of being shot.
Then government troops came up. The leader was
a fine man and said he would have protected the
city; but he was short of ammunition and although
he sent again and again to the military governor, no
supplies were forthcoming. The brigands drew
nearer and nearer. The city gates were closed and
sand-bagged, and for twenty-five days we were
besieged. On the city wall, watch was kept day
and night. The brigands having occupied the
pagoda (outside the city) used it as a vantage point
for shooting many inside. Our hands were again
full attending to the wounded.
The ammunition failing, the government troops
were in a trap, and without a word, one evening,
they suddenly disappeared ! The city was left to
the mercy of the brigands whenever they cared to
enter. Between seven and eight hundred people,
mostly women and children, flocked to our place
for refuge. Our rented premises being very small
every corner was soon filled.
What a night we had! When the brigands knew
that the government soldiers had really gone, they
rushed into the city yelling like demons. They
broke open our front doors, smashing also the win-
dows and frames with their rifles. Finding Mr.
Robinson and me, they held their guns close to our
breasts, saying they would shoot us dead. But,
thank God, the fear of death was gone.
They began taking whatever they fancied, fur
gown, clock, clothing, etc., when one of the brigands
recognized Mr. Robinson, saying, "Oh, it is Ioh
Chiaosi! Come away, I know he is a good man!"
He .got them out, and Mr. Robinson, following
them, saw their leader who came in and told the
refugees he would protect the Gospel Hall, and
sent two of his men to guard the door.
There had been pandemonium, I can assure you,
with the children yelling, women shouting, and on
the streets firing of guns and all sorts of dreadful
sounds. The people were hiding all over our
premises. I even found two men under our bed.
The poor women and children had nothing to eat
(their men had run away when the city gates were
opened) ; food was scarce with us, but we made a
big cauldron of Indian meal or flour porridge at
noon, so that they all had one good meal, and at
night they had a drink of tea, and very grateful
they were. After four or five days, the men-folk
began to return to the city, and by the tenth day, the
women and children had their food brought to them,
so we did not need to help them in this way any
longer.
One Sunday morning just as we were about to
commence our service, some robber soldiers came
in saying that Chang Peh-ing (their leader) wished
to have a few words with Mr. Robinson. He went
with them, saying he would soon be back. We had
nearly finished the service when a woman rushed
in saying that her boy had come to her crying that
they had put Mr. Robinson in prison. Two men
volunteered to go out the back way and find out
vyhat it all meant, but as there were already armed
guards at the doors they soon came back.
An hour or two later a couple of officials came
and told me that Mr. Robinson had acted as a spy
for the government troops and had given them a
letter. They also accused us of having some 30,000
ounces of silver from the government cash shop. - I
assured them the report was utterly untrue. They
refused to believe my word, and with the robber
soldiers began to search our place, room by room,
from end to end.
Of course they did not find the 30,000 ounces of
silver! They did, however, find a box containing
our own silver and that of some of the Christians
and inquirers which had been committed to our
care for safety. This box was locked. After
promising not to touch it as they were only search-
ing for government money, they finally took the
box away.
You can imagine how distressed I was with no
one now to help me, none being allowed to enter or
leave the premises, the place full of refugees, and
armed guards at the front and back. That night I
never slept, but spent most of it in prayer.
Next morning they returned, saying they were to
search the place all over again as we must have the
silver hidden away somewhere. Over the whole
premises once more the armed brigands ran, but
this time hopelessly mixing together the little
bundles of clothing the people had asked us to keep
for them. It was an awful time ; but the dear Lord
74
CHINAS MILLIONS
was so near ! and kept ray heart in peace. I felt
sure that our Lord would, even through this trial,
glorify His own Name.
They next demanded 10,000 taels ransom, but I
told them I had none to give. They even thought
they might be able to squeeze it out of the people,
but praise God ! this they were not able to do.
Our serving boy was in some way implicated
through having silver on him. Where he got it
we do not know, but fear he stole it when the gen-
eral looting was going on. He ran away and hid
until the city gates were open, then made for home
some thirty miles away. This left me with only a
little boy of about twelve to take Mr. Robinson's
food to the prison where he was under armed guard
night and day.
At first the soldiers had taken Mr. Robinson to
the yamen, saying that Chang Peh-ing was in the
mandarin's place. After waiting some time, a
soldier (or rather robber) came to him and said,
"Follow me." My husband followed this man. but
when passing the prison he suddenly pushed Mr.
Robinson into the "black hole," ordering the keeper
to take off his clothes and tie him up naked. The
keeper began undoing the buttons, but Mr. Robin-
son resisted him and the man stopped — surely the
Lord's* intervention. A friendly attendant brought
him a stool, but they would not allow this, so he
had to lie on the dirty straw with the prisoners.
"You know what happened to Miss Villadsen," the
robber soldiers said. "You will soon share the
same fate. We are only waiting for the word of
command to shoot you."
After fourteen days Mr. Robinson was released ;
he was very ill for twenty days with pneumonia.
After we had been three months in the hands of
these men, the government troops began gradually
closing in. Fighting was going on daily in some
of the villages, many lives being lost in these daily
battles. We could hear the boom of the guns as the
government troops poured shot and shell into the
villages, gradually dislodging the brigands, who
when beaten always fled to our city.
One Sunday morning, the bombardment of our
city began with the rattle of machine guns, the
booming of cannon, the whizz of shells and showers
of bullets. It was terrible ! For fourteen days this
state of things continued. One shell fell on the
roof of the women's guest-hall, one on the roof of
the kitchen, and several in our yard. How we did
praise God that, with all the refugees staying on
our premises, not one was hurt ! Even the heathen
were saying, "Surely your God did protect you !"
The robbers, having by this time eaten up nearly
everything, and altogether being in a bad way with
so many of their number killed or wounded, decided
to "run for it" one night. They had to leave their
animals, bedding, and loot, and trust to their legs
to get away.
As the animals were running wild over the city
the government soldiers upon entering made it their
first care to catch them. But they did more, for
they also took every mule, donkey, and cow belong-
ing to the city people. They then began to loot
houses and shops, and were by common consent, far
worse than the brigands, beating, and even killing,
innocent people.
The government troops burst into our place,
broke open our living-room doors, and rushed
everywhere. Then another set got in from the
back, breaking our foreign locks, smashing doors,
taking all our bedding, blankets, coverlets, sheets,
foreign and Chinese dress, underclothing, table-
linen, towels, shoes, etc., until they had stripped us
bare. They fired five shots into our chapel, hitting
a business man who was taking shelter, and fired
three shots at Mr. Robinson. Some men in the
yard struck me several times with their rifles, and
once I was hit by a bullet on the lip and fell into
the gutter, bruising my face. But praise God! the
bullet only grazed my lip. At last Mr. Robinson
managed to find an officer, and he appointed a
guard to look after our house.
It was indeed a night of terror; no one, Chinese
or foreigner, slept during those long hours. Some
of us for long after that night did not sleep at all.
When the city gates were again opened, our
country folk came flocking in, and we had over one
hundred men (the women not daring to come) en
Sundays. Many of these people had grown in
grace, and could tell how God protected them and
answered prayer during those terrible days.
By this time Mr. Robinson and I were feeling
spent in strength, and as we had not had a holiday
for five years we decided to go to Chefoo for the
summer.
We left our station last May looking forward to
meeting our laddie who is at school. We had a
good journey as far as Tongkwan, a border city
between Shensi and Honan, where many soldiers
are 'stationed. These are Northern men brought
from Chihli province to help repress robber bands,
but they have a bad name and treat people harshly.
Even foreigners do not escape their rough treat-
ment at times. A party of missionaries who passed
through a few days previous to our arrival had their
boxes opened by these men. On our arrival at the
city gate, because Mr. Robinson had not his pass-
port in his hand, they seized him, tied his hands
behind his back with the carter's whip, and then
bound him with a thick rope, the ends of which
were held by two men behind while thirty or forty
of these men beat him on head, face and body.
When they had finished Mr. Robinson got on the
cart again, and I held him on by the ends of the
rope as his hands were still bound. The soldiers
again rushed at him and pulled him off the cart,
using such force that the rope cut my hands.
They again gave him a beating, kicked him, and
finally loosed the rope that bound him, and let him
go. We were at last free to go on, and soon reach-
ed the inn. Later Mr. Robinson went and called
upon the officer in charge. He saw for himself the
bleeding wrists and invited us to a feast, expressing
his sorrow at what had transpired, saying he would
punish the offenders. We did not stay, but after
dressing Mr. Robinson's wounds were soon again
on our journey.
MAY. 1920
75
Another eight days' travel and we arrived safely
at Chefoo. After the heavy strain — hardly realized
at the time — it was thought best that we should
not return to our station for the present. The dis-
trict is still in a state of unrest; the soldiers in our
city who robbed and ill-treated us are many of them
followers of the noted "White Wolf"; after the
breaking up of his band, a number joined the regu-
lar army, and certainly are a bad lot. We fear
there will be more fighting in Shensi. Letters from
the province received the middle of December
(1919) tell of extreme lawlessness still in several
districts, telegraph wires cut, mutinous soldiers
again looting, inns burned down, roads unsafe for
travel, and itinerations impossible owing to the
lawless conditions prevailing.
Opium is being grown again this year, and when
gathered in, will lead to a repetition of last year's
looting and robbery, we fear. Poor Shensi is in a
bad way ! We need your prayers, and would ask
you to try to enlist prayers of other friends for the
work in this province. We long to get back to our
dear people again; they write begging us not to
leave them as sheep without a shepherd. Pray for.
us, and prayer for poor Shensi. Our God is a
prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. Let us
pray in faith, and He will cause even "the. wrath of
man to praise Him."
Among Brigands
By Mi.s R. J. PEMBERTON. Chienfuhai, Szechwan
WE have had some very wonderful answers to
prayer this year. We were surrounded by
brigands again and again ; but we were kept
from all harm.
First, the brigands came one market day and
robbed the market, taking a large number of cap-
tives and much spoil. Among the captives were
several of our Christian men, so I had the pleasure
( ?) of going with our evangelist, Mr. Wang, to ask
them please to set our people free. We hurried
after them for over a mile and then some of the
brigands noticed us following and waited for us.
They were very polite to us and immediately let
our Christians return (about ten altogether). That
evening we had a wonderful praise meeting in the
church. Alas! one of our old school boys was
accidentally shot and died some days after.
The second time, I was away at an outstation.
They came (only a few of them) to see our school
girls, and of course, try to capture some of the
bigger girls. In a most wonderful way — I can't go
into details — the Lord hid the girls and they were
kept from seeing the brigands and from all harm.
The head brigand twice that day fired shots outside
my little house, as he thought the girls were hiding
inside and he would frighten them out. But God
kept them.
Another time they stayed on the market for four
days, coming up here every day and at all times.
I had several of the big girls hiding here. God
helped us, and although we were in real danger, we
were kept in perfect peace. Just at that time, when
things were at their worst, God sent Miss Johanson
from Pachow to us. She was such a comfort and
help ! and it was so good to have her here to pray
with. Many a night I sat up all night and could
hear shouts and screams.
I shall never forget one Sunday, when quite a
number of the brigands came to church. In the
afternoon we had a little Gospel service for them,
and as Mr. Wang had taken the morning service and
our pastor, Mr. Yang, was not at home, I was asked
to take the meeting. God helped me, and they
listened well. We gave them tracts, and pleaded
with them to repent and turn to God. Some of
them said they would return to their homes if they
could but they found it difficult to escape. The next
day the soldiers came and some of these very men
were caught and beheaded on the market here.
The brigands are still quite near to us, and only
to-day soldiers passed our door to go and fight
them. The country round about here is very un-
settled and the people have suffered very much, but
the Christians have been wonderfully kept, thank-
God.
What Robbers Cannot Take
By Mr. ARTHUR G. NICHOLLS, Sapushan, Yunnan
OUT here we missionaries meet with all kinds of
experiences, some happy and others the
reverse. For instance, I had the misfortune
to fall into the hands of a band of robbers last
month. I had been over the same road many times
before, but one day they swooped down and we
were at the mercy of forty-three, all well armed.
One could not fight, nor run away, so we just had
to allow the baskets to be searched ; and they helped
themselves to almost everything I had. It was 'dis-
tressing to see the rascals walking off with one's
clothing and other necessary articles, as well as a
Christmas present I was taking to a friend at a
station farther on.
I had nothing for my lunch, for the money was
taken, but at the market farther on I met one of
our men who had sold some books in his village.
He had the money on his person, though not dream-
ing that I would be passing, so he gave it to me and
we were able to have lunch. At night we had
nothing with which to pay our inn money, but my
carriers knew the landlord, and a day or two after
the money was given the man.
For a week I had no comb but had to pass my
fingers through my hair each day. My towel was
stolen so I had to resort to wiping my face on my
Chinese gown until I could get a towel from Yun-
nanfu. two days away. I have learned to do
without some things, at least for a while.
Still, we went on the way rejoicing. On the
Lord's Day I had to preach in straw sandals, and in
my old clothes presided at the Lord's table and
baptized thirty-one of the Kopu tribe. This joy
robbers cannot take away !
The "Chinese Home Mission"
at Work in Yunnan
THE Chinese Home Missionary Society, Yunnan
Mission, has for its aim the evangelization of
unreached parts of the country. Its head-
quarters are in Shanghai, and it has the support of
the Chinese Christians of all denominations. A few
months ago it sent a commission to the province of
Yunnan to study the field, to preach the Gospel, and
to help the existing churches as opportunity afford-
ed. The members of the Mission were all Chinese
leaders of some standing. Amongst them was
Pastor Ting Li-mei, who in the past has been greatly
used of God in special meetings at our Mission
stations in several of the provinces. Pastor Ting
visited Talifu with resultant revival and blessing
to the church and the city. Rev. W. J. Hanna re-
ports as follows :
"Each afternoon a meeting was held, especially
for the deepening of the spiritual life of the Chris-
tians, and the messages from the Word given by
Mr. Ting and Mr. Fraser went home to the hearts
of all who were present. They were indeed times
of heart-searching and confession of sin and short-
comings.
"Two mass meetings for women only were held
on the two Wednesdays, when Mr. Ting enabled
the women to catch a glimpse of a brighter life and
a wider sphere for them through Christ than they
had even dreamed of in heathenism.
"The evening meetings taxed the capacity of our
Huston Memorial Chapel. During the first week
many were turned away unable to get inside of the
doors. All the gentry and literati of the city came
out night after night to hear Mr. Ting hold forth
Christ as the only hope of China. He proved the
decadence of the Government, of society, and of the
individual without Christ. By his fearless exposure
of their faults, and the exaltation of Christ, he won
the respect of his audiences, so that during the
second week, when acceptance of Christ was press-
ed, over forty publicly stood up accepting Christ
as their personal Savior, though warned that perse-
cution, scoffing, and loss even, awaited them, if they
were faithful.
"On the last Friday, an informal lawn party was
held, to which all the gentry and literati were in-
vited. These proud men, who had hitherto scorned
the Christian religion, all came, and not only spoke
favorably of Christianity, but wanted to form a
Christian Investigation Society as a first step to
entering the church. This new society will meet
every second Sunday afternoon in the schoolhouse,
and under strong leadership will, we believe, be in-
strumental in convincing many of the truths of the
Gospel, and in winning them to a definite acceptance
of Christ.
"While the special meetings are over, the work of
"race goes on. Apart from those who have openly
confessed Christ, we are hearing daily of others
whose hearts have been touched, and who are turn-
ing- from idols to serve the living and true God.
CHINAS MILLIONS
The answer to our united prayers has been exceed-
ing abundantly above all that we have asked or
thought, and while we praise Him, will you please
continue to join with us in prayer for these new
converts, that they may go on to know the Lord
and prove steadfast in the faith.
At the West of the East
By Rev. H. W. FLAGG, Tengyueh, Yunnan
THERE is a rebellion on, west of us here at
at Tengyueh. Two Burman princes, some
Buddhist priests and some rascally Chinese
are involved. The old Boxer lie was revived ; the
priests could make the recruits invulnerable, so that
British bullets aimed at them would turn to water.
Forty of these "invulnerables" started out to reduce
Burma, urged on by a yellow-robed priest lead-
ing ( !) from a safe place in the rear. They attacked
an outpost seventeen miles inside of the border.
The British were compelled in self-defence to fire
and they killed six and wounded eleven. The rest
of the vulnerables without any delay started a Mara-
thon race for China. They were real "Mercuries,"
for fear added wings to their feet. It is said that
several records were broken, but unfortunately
there was no one present with a stop-watch.
Mr. Fraser tells that while "China's Moody" (Mr.
Ting Li-mei) in his visit to Yunnan province was
at Shuen-Ning, on his way to Tali, a Tengyueh man
was in their room at the inn. The Tengyueh man.
seeing Mr. Ting using a fountain pen, asked how
long it was since he came .to China. Mr. Ting
looked up with a half-grieved expression and in a
semi-grieved tone said, "I am a Chinaman!" After-
wards he told Mr. Fraser that it was forty-eight
years since he "came to China !"
The Robber Attack at Taku
By Mr. JAMES STARK
ON March 19th, a telegram was received from
Yunnanfu to the effect that a band of robbers
had visited the Mission station at Taku, and
besides plundering the place, had taken Mr. Metcalf
and Mr. Gowman away as captives. It is with deep
thankfulness to God that we are able to add that
this news was followed a few days later by a tele-
gram, announcing that these friends, and also Dr.
Shelton of the Foreign Christian Mission who was
taken prisoner on the 3rd of January, had been
rescued. Writing on March 4th, Mrs. Gowman
says that at 6.30 that morning they were told by
their cook that a gang of men were entering the
village. By the time Mr. and Mrs. Gowman were
dressed, these men were in the yard and had enter-
ed the house. Every room was visited and not a
box or cupboard was left untouched, and everything
of any value at all, including knives, forks, spoons,
teacups, bowls, etc., was taken. Mr. Metcalf and
Mr. Gowman were permitted to ride their horses,
but the three Chinese taken with them were bound.
The gang consisted of forty-tw ~> men. other parties
7 7
having visited neighboring villages simultaneously.
Mrs. Gowman adds, "As for myself, I am well cared
for here. I tried to get them to take me along, too,
but they would not listen to it. They took my
horse, but would not let me ride it." Mr. and Mrs.
Gowman and their little daughter, and Mr. Met-
calf have now safely reached Yunnanfu ; also Mr.
Nicholls, whom the robbers sought to capture as
well.
By Mr. G. E. METCALF
Thursday morning, March 4th, soon after day-
break, between thirty and fifty robbers came to
Taku, looted our house of all they fancied, taking
off Mr. Gowman, three Chinese teachers and myself.
Mr. Gowman managed to effect an escape the first
night.
On Friday night we joined a larger band of rob-
bers, with their chief, Yang Tien-fuh. That night
two of the Chinese teachers were released and
allowed to take back two of our horses, three hav-
ing been seized by the robbers at Taku. They also
took a letter written by the robber chief (in
Chinese) which they wished to have go to the
Governor, explaining their object in thus seizing us.
Reaching Mateoti on Saturday night and hearing
that there was a large band of soldiers half a day's
journey away at Longkai, the robbers traveled dur-
ing the night. Passing through Yuanmowhsien
i the old city) they set fire to several big house-, and
took off two young men — these two 1 saw hound
though there may have been others, too. About
midnight (Saturday) they stopped at a Lisu village
about a mile west of Yuanmowhsien.
At daybreak on Sunday morning 1 ran away with
a Chinese teacher, but being caught outside the
village we were taken back. During Sunday we
traveled west to Tali, before reaching which place
the robbers had a fight with thirty-odd local sol-
diers. During this fighting, the remaining Chinese
teacher of our party managed (as 1 suppose) to
escape, for I have not seen him since.
On Monday we traveled southwest, arriving in
the afternoon at Machang. From this place f man-
aged to escape from the robbers just at dark.
So praise God for answering prayer ! I am free
again, the last of our party of five. Hiding amongst
trees for several hours I watched the robbers
searching for me with torches. About midnight
the moon rose, and an hour later I saw and heard
the robbers leave the village. By this time their
number had increased to over four hundred.
I spent Monday night on the hills, making my
way east. About noon on Tuesday I reached
Mehyenching, and the magistrate there had me
escorted to Houching the same day. I was carried
in a mountain chair and arrived at Houching about
nine o'clock Tuesday night. I am now staying in
the garrison, as the authorities here insist on escort-
ing me up to Yunnanfu.
Our Shanghai Letter
By the Secretary of the Ch.na Council, Mr. JAMES STARK, writing on February 24th and March 27th, 1920
Fighting in Kansu and Shensi. I
regret to have to report fighting
between Tsinchow and Longchow in
Kansu and Shensi, respectively. The
southern troops have been engaged
by the Tsinchow local soldiers. No
details have reached us, and we hope
all our workers in the affected region
are being kept in safety.
Trouble in Szechwan. At Ying-
shan, in Szechwan, Miss E. Culver-
well informs us, the political condi-
tions are appalling. She writes : "We
are under a military official, who
treats citizens as though they were
an unruly set of soldiers Creditors
and debtors having a rather noisy
settlement of accounts are hauled up
by his underlings. Debtor is given
500 blows and creditor 1,000, and both
are imprisoned, one for debt, the
other for daring to ask payment. A
wrong arrest was made, and though
the man's innocence was proved be-
yond dispute, Hwang Tsan-meng
said, 'Oh! you live where brigands
abound and doubtless are in touch
with them.' He was given 500 strokes
and imprisoned. This kind of thing
goes on daily, and why do the people
bear it? Because the unprincipled
tyrants are underlings of Yen Shih-
ling, who is in Suiting, and who be-
heads people by the sc
a I.
> he die
5 la;
The
people are in a pitiful condition."
Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor's
Visits to the stations in Honan,
Hunan, Kiangsi and Chekiang were
greatly appreciated, and they them-
selves were encouraged by what they
saw of the .progress of the work.
They proceed to Kaifeng, en route
to Yuncheng and other stations in
Shansi, hoping to return here toward
the end of May.
General News is Encouraging. From
most, if not all, the provinces into
which the work of the Mission ex-
tends, we are receiving cheering
news. The opportunities are great,
and the faithful labors of our fellow-
workers throughout the provinces
are bearing fruit. A few gleanings
irom correspondence will, I think, be
of interest.
Kansu. Mr. E. J. Mann, writing
from Lanchow, the provincial capital,
says: "I want to tell you of a very
interesting preaching tour. The
church took up the idea enthusiasti-
cally, and contributed over 30,000
cash towards expenses. Several
country Christians beside hospital
students and helpers, joined the band.
and all told we were a dozen strong
the whole time. The road chosen
was to the east, going by the direct
way to the town of Chinhsien, and
returning down the Chinhsien valley
and then the Sian to Lanchow main
road. The distance is about thirty
miles, and as the going and returning
roads are only about seven miles
apart, we were able to work the
whole strip of country between. The
party divided into three bands everv
day, one party taking the villages
along the main road, while the others
branched out on either side. In this
way nearly twenty villages were
reached daily. It was arduous work
for those who took the side paths, as
often deep ravines had to be crossed.
One day we climbed eight times to
get to seven villages, and a few bar-
ley sugar drops were all we had to
ea't. We visited and preached in 127
villages, sold nearly 400 gospels and
gave away several thousand tracts."
Shansi. Mr. K. Ekblad recently
conducted a series of evangelistic
meetings at Kweihwating in Shansi.
These were well attended, some days
the chapel being filled to its utmost
capacity. A number of the leading
men of the citv were present, and
of thei
ieeking to le;
che:
Ekbla
what the
lihl,
says : "I have
vited to meet with those in-
1 and their friends once a
) read the Scriptures to them,
le evangelist has a similar in-
from a branch of the Mer-
Association."
Mis
Oliv
Irem
i nii
fr<
Hotsin, in the same province, says :
'There are many opportunities to be
had now through the phonetic script.
In all the villages of this district, the
Governor has opened night schools
for teaching the script and the Gov-
book, 'What the Public Ought
. Kno
'teachers' fo
teach the s
Continued on page Jg
the
ript,
Editorial Notes
CHINAS MILLIONS
THE China Inland Mission Conference at
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is appointed to
open this year, on Tuesday, June 29th — a little
later than in previous years — and to close on the
evening of Sunday, July 4th. Many circumstances
lead us to ask for prayer on behalf of this gathering,
especially that its plan and program may be alto-
gether guided by the Lord and that its realization
may convey His blessing to many people.
Again we have to record the loss to our North
American Council of another member, through the
home-call of Mr. Elias Rogers, who in his seventieth
year passed away at his home in Toronto, after a
very brief illness, April 11th. Mr. Rogers' connec-
tion with the Council began as early as 1890 in ■
association with a group of Christian stalwarts,
such as Mr. William Gooderham, Mr. Alfred Sand-
ham, Dr. H. M. Parsons, Rev. T. C. Des Rarres. Mr.
Alex. Sampson, and Mr. John D. Nasmith, of
Toronto, with Mr. Edmund Savage of Hamilton.
Mr. Cavers of Gait, and Dr. Wardrope of Guelph.
all of whom seem to us now to have long ago passed
over from active service here to their heavenly
reward. We are grateful to God for giving to the
Mission Council these and other men of spiritual
strength and standing, men of different walks in
life and different religious associations, but one in
their adherence to Christ and the desire to give the
Gospel to benighted peoples. Mr. Rogers wor-
shiped among the Friends and was ever a loyal
Quaker. We would express our sympathy to his
bereaved wife and family and ask prayer for them
and for God's guidance in filling the vacant places
in our Council.
Disturbances in China have touched our own
workers, as will be seen from foregoing pages of
this issue, but we thank God there have been no
fatalities reported. We sorrow with our friends of
the Canadian Presbyterian Mission, over the death
of Dr. J. R. Menzies at the hands of robbers in
Honan, and we trust there will be no repetition of
such a tragedy. While the attacking of foreigners
is still unusual, the increased boldness of robbers
in entering and looting missionary premises and
endeavoring to carry men away for ransom or
other ends, calls for prayer that God will defend
His servants in places where regard for them is
breaking down in face of the realization that
brigandage can gain its prizes and to a large extent
go unpunished. Reporting a "hold-up" between
stations in Kweichow province, a member of our
Mission says it is the first time that missionaries
have been robbed or molested since he entered the
province some fifteen years ago, adding that until
now they have been able to travel anywhere without
an escort. To-day, however, the very officials
seem bent on making money out of opium, the
growth of which has been widely revived, and so
many soldiers are being used for the transportation
of the drug that few are left to safeguard the people.
China's ebullition of lawlessness at the present
time has perhaps many contributing causes. That
opium may again be handled appeals to the avari-
cious. That armed bands can raid cities and take
what they please from defenceless people lures the
lawless. Such a band may be simply a gang of
robbers ; or it may be a group of soldiers who, hav-
ing been insufficiently paid, or being graduates of
"White Wolf's" or some other robber's band, levy
their wages (and a good deal more) from the hard-
working people. That soldiers are not paid and
kept in hand shows a laxity on the part of the mili-
tary authorities who either are not supplied with
funds for the maintenance of their "troops" or
apply the funds to other uses and let their "flocks"
graze on the land. That the .provincial govern-
ments tolerate these abuses leads us to wonder at
ways Chinese and the long-suffering of the people.
If, again, we ask why the central government per-
mits such irregularities, we are confronted with
?? It is a land torn with faction, as full of
grafters and profiteers as any more newly civilized
country, backward in position but striving to "save
its face," its people apprehensive of foreign aggres-
sion yet peace-loving to the point of compromise —
how can its newly-appointed Republican head at
once make for it a reformed and democratic body?
"For all that are in authority," let us sincerely pray.
"Then they willingly received Him into the ship;
and immediately the ship was at the land whither
they went" (John 6:21). These words occur in the
account of the disciples' crossing of the lake after
the wonderful day of the miraculous feeding of
five thousand. The Lord had sent His disciples into
a storm, and they were "toiling in rowing" when He
came to them. Dr. Northcote Deck, in a study of
this familiar experience, writes : "We find to our
astonishment that there were two ways of crossing
the lake. There was the way the fishermen knew
so well, the way of the boisterous wind and con-
trary sea Yet, here, following the feeding
of the multitude, the spectacle of Peter's testing.
and the reception of the Lord Himself into the boat,
we meet one more miracle, often unrecognized.
unrealized 'Immediately the ship was at the land
whither they went.' Here was a new method of
travel! A new way of triumph over difficulties.
And, oh, it is true ! This life of service here, beset
though it often is with countless difficulties, through
the filling, the power, the operation of the Spirit,
may be changed from a pilgrimage into a royal
progress. There are, then, two ways of life, of
service, for each pilgrim who would be a stranger
in the world. There is the toilsome way of fleshly
effort which misguidedly attempts often so much,
expects but little, and accomplishes still less. It is
the way of many, too many, true believers. Yet
for each of His own, there is God's way of simple
victorious faith in the name and blessed company
of Christ, through the power of the indwelling
Spirit."
MAY. 1920 79
CHINA INLAND MISSION: SUMMARY OF NORTH AMERICAN ACCOUNTS, 191°
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF PHILADELPHIA AND TORONTO CASH ACCOUNTS
Receipts: Disbursements:
Balance from 1918:
General Fund Account
Mission Home Account
Received in 1919:
Missionary Account; for suppo
in China and at home
f35.633.33
Native Helper Account; for su
evangelists and bible-women
10,639 92
Native School Account; for s
children in schools in China .
1.790.88
Foreign Special Account; for b
pitals, orphanages, famine ri
slief, purchase of
25,075.77
Outfit and Passage Account;
2,440.87
Home Special Account; for us
e of Philadelphia
67.80
Annuity Account; for supporl
permanently detained at home
7.177.43
China's Millions" and Prayer
for printing and circulating i i
and Prayer I'nion < ard- and !
Mi<si,, rl Home A,:ru„nt; lor i-im
of Mission Homes..
244.04
General Fund Account; lor »i
(including interest on invest mi
;nts)
f}8.788 07
Outfit and Pas
r and Hoai
1 tannl,.'-
Vlission Ho
and Horn.
s of the CHINA INLAND MISSION for
Philadelphia, 29th March. 1920.
Continued /row page ~~
the book, they are glad sometimes to
avail themselves of the help of
church people, who can get good
themes for Gospel talks out of the
Governor's book."
Honan. The following is from a
letter received from Mrs. Guinness,
of Kaifeng: "We had one baptism
here yesterday, January 26th, a dear
lady who was converted in the hos-
pital and has been an earnest in-
quirer and kind friend for more than
a year. She has suddenly heard that
her son-in-law has got some office in
Chowkiakow, and is leaving for that
place to-morrow to go on to Peking
in a short time. She was most
anxious to confess the Lord and enter
the church and the church gladlv re-
ceived her. We had a beautiful day
yesterday, meeting out in the sunny
courtyard as we commended her to
God. She is of a good family, her
father. and husband having held high
offices, mostly in Yunnan. She and
her daughter both came here to
break off opium. We should be glad
of prayer for them as they go forth
again among the temptations of offi-
cial life in China. The Governor's
wife called again on Miss Soltau and
Dr. McDonald, giving a second dona-
tion of $200, which makes $400 alto-
gether. This .is very encouraging.
We are conscious of blessing among
the Christians. Mercy drops are fall-
ing, as one and another take a step
forward in the service of God. How
we long for the showers !"
to by Mr. Walter Gillespie, Auditoi
Signed) LYBRAND. ROSS BROS. &
Kweichow. Mr. Morris Slichter
writes from Anshun as follows : "We
praise God for those who willingly
confessed the Lord in baptism dur-
ing the year. All were tribespeople,
among them the first fruits of the
tribe called Chong Chia, of whom we
have numbers in the district. • We
had anticipated opposition from the
'head man' in the district where
these few Chong Chia believers live,
but the Lord has restrained him and
now he seems quite sympathetic and
attends the meetings held there."
Yunnan. Mr. Gladstone Porteous
sends an interesting account of the
harvest festival gathering at Salawo.
"Between 500 and 600 adults gathered
for the Sunday meetings, which were
a time of blessing. We had the joy
of baptizing 108 men and women,
young and old. This makes the Nosu
church membership to date, 425, ex-
clusive of those who have been called
home during the last two years.
This year, the harvest festival offer-
ings for evangelistic work amounted
to about $60.00. Briefly to describe
the present state of Nosu work, I
might say that at Salawo we have a
small Mission house, school, Bible
school and large chapel, beside dor-
mitories for scholars and accommo-
dation for teachers and evangelist.
There are in the outstations about
fifteen chapels, built by the people,
where worship is regularly held.
There is also a school of about
twenty at one of the outstations. To
assist us in the work, we have two
evangelists, two Scripture readers,
supported by the B. & F. Bible
Society, and two school teachers. We
have Christians in fifty villages, large
and small, and there is a great un-
evangelized area to the northwest
besides many tens of villages on this
side. And there must be severa'
thousands of families within a sixteen
or seventeen mile radius of Salawo.
to whom we should like to preach
the Gospel while there is time and
opportunity. We shall be grateful if
you will remember us in prayer, that
the coming year, God willing, may be
fruitful in ingathered souls."
Writing from Taku, also in the
Wutingchow district, Mr. C. G. Gow-
man says : "One of our men is now
giving all his time to the Laka, while
three more have been engaged in
evangelistic work among the Nisu
tribe, a month's journey away in the
Szemas and Menglieh districts, where
over 1,200 families, representing eight
or nine tribes, have destroyed their
idols and begun the study of Chris-
tianity. Thus we are keeping the
missionary fires burning. But not all
is bright and plain sailing, for there
is much lukewarmness and lack of
zeal in some formerly zealous vil-
lages. We need another Spirit-given
revival such as the Lord gave us two
or three years ago. Two baptisms
among the Red E tribe are, we hope,
the beginning of a work among these
people."
Kiangsi. Miss Liridestrom reports
increased liberality on the part of the
converts at Yangkow. Last year's
collections were the best during the
last nine years.
80 CHINAS MILLIONS
COME TO THE SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION. TO BE HELD, D.V.
from Tuesday, June 29th, through Sunday, July 4th, 1920
for further information write to the
(fttjma Jnlanfc iltBHum
237 SCHOOL LANE, PHILADELPHIA. PA . or 507 CHURCH STREET. TORONTO. ONT
PRAYER CALLS— PRAISE ECHOES
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Praise for the growth of work among the
tribespeople in China (pages 68-72).
Pray for disturbed Shensi (and other
distressed parts of China) and for our
workers, asking God to protect them and
bless His work (p. 75).
Thank God for deliverance from brigands
(pp. 75-76).
Thank God for the work of Yunnan Mis-
sion conducted by Chinese, and for the
results of special meetings led by Pastor
Ting at Tali (p. 76).
Pray for the new converts at Tali (p. 76).
Praise God for generally encouraging
news of the work in China (p. 77).
Ask God's blessing on the Mission's Con-
ference, June 29-July 4 (p. 78).
Pray for our Council 'and those who
have been bereaved (p. 76).
Pray for those in authority in China
. (p. 78).
HERE AND THERE
Late reports give a total of 6.457 bap-
tisms in the Mission during 1919.
Rev. H. W. Frost, Home Director of the
Mission, for North America, has removed
from Summit, N.J., to Lime Rock, Conn
Mr. D. E. Hoste, General Director of the
China Inland Mission, who since his arrival
from England has been at our Philadelphia
centre and with Mr. Frost at Lime Rock.
Conn., visited Toronto early in the month
(May) intending to go to Chicago. Los
Angeles and Seattle before sailing iron.
Vancouver for China on June 3rd.
Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Cook and child
left on March 26th for China, going via
Suez, from England. By the same route.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Moore and child
returned to China, leaving England April
4th.
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, APRIL, 1920
Date No. Amount
1—454 $20.00
2-^456 5 . 00
457. 10 00
458. 25.00
460 350 00
3^461 43 . 55
462 60 . 00
463 100.00
464 25.00
465. . . 60.00
466. 2S 00
5 — 469 25 . 00
470 20 . 00
472 14.45
PHILADELPHIA
Date No. Amount
19—532 $5,000.00
534 10 . 00
535 100 00
537 10.00
540 300 . 00
541 1.00
542 . 1.00
546 38.59
20—548 1.00
21—551 20.00
22—553 . .50 00
.554 . 5 . 00
13—508
5 00
511
5.00
14—514
25 00
515
1 00
517
15 0(1
518
4 on
15—519
•>:, on
520
in on
521
15 00
522
47 50
16—524.
525 .
526 Cancelled
527
20 no
17—529 Int
on mi
530
5 00
531
15 00
556. .
557
HI III)
:,-, (Ill
10.00
ill ill)
SPECIAL PI RI'ONIS
TORONTO
Amount
MISSIONARY AND
Date
No.
Amount
5 III llll
GENERAL PURPOSES
12—463
$1.00
"'-! no
Date No.
Amount
464
466. . .
5 . 00
8.00
1—410
$ 5.00
467....
25.00
417
100.00
468
23.60
Ull on
1 418
4.50
15.00
420
5.00
2.00
121
22 . 50
471. .
1.00
1 . 50
422
5 . 00
472 ... .
155 . 92
1 00
| 3—423
2.00
473 . . . .
60 . 00
1 00
424
3 . 00
15-475 . .
4 05
425
5 00
476.
1.00
42(1 .
10.00
477. . ..
50
427 ... .
30 . 00
17—478- . . .
5 00
428 . .
2.00
479
3 93
431
10.00
481 .
2 . 00
:, no
432
3 . 00
Km mi
131
7.50
25 oo
178.50
5—436
5 . 00
20.00
12.00
437
5 . 00
20.00
15 (10
438
1 25 . 00
in on
439
2 00
10.00
6—440
4 20
40.00
31 25
441
50,00
21—491 . . . .
9 43
si; on
412
10.00
50 mi
", (Ml
7—444
493
5 00
.'() (Ill
445.
25 00
495
100
40 no
8^447
50 , 00
22—496
5.00
40 00
448...
20 00
, 50
1
44!)
25 00
498 . . .
5 00
15 (HI
9—450
10.00
26—501
25.00
2.10
!>3 OH
452
2.00
:, 00
153
1.00
155.00
15 00
5 00
>09 . . . .
2.00
2 (in
457
10.00
>10
3 . 65
8 mi
458 .
>11
85
25 III)
460 . . . .
10.00
>12 . .
5.00
5 on
462 .
5 00
10 00
SUMMARY
From Philadelphia—
For Missionary and General Purposes
For Special Purposes
l r or Special Purposes
Previously acknowledged, l
Date No
■Vmount
27- 514
. $ 5.00
2S— 5 IS
2 00
519
25.00
25.00
.'ill .V"
Int
. 913.12
524
5 00
S2.3M 30
SPECIAL PURPOSES
1 — 419
$ 3.00
3 — 129
25 15
430
3.40
433
7.50
5—435
15.00
7 — 143
5.00
446
25.00
459
50 . 00
461.
5.00
12—465
9.00
15—474
15.00
17- 180
2.00
484
10.05
19- -4S5
75.00
21—494
5.00
23—499
50 . 00
■>4—50(l
36.00
on -502
30 000
505
10.00
506.
25.00
508.
3.00
27 — 510
100.00
517
25.00
2S— 521
50.00
*599 . 10
S 11.2V.' 68
93
i'i
599
10
01
EBENEZER
VOL. XXVIIII. No. 6 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILUON5
r. December 12, 1917. at the port office at Buffalo. N.Y.. under the Act of Congrew of
:ial rate of pottage provided for in section I 103, Act of October 3. 191 7,
authorized July 18. 1918
MISSION OFFICES
GERM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA, PA
TORONTO
JUNE, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
uid Mrs.
Trusting and Following — B
Howard Taylor
Rousing the Church in China— By Mrs. J
Goforth
Three Birthday Letters — By Dr. F. A
Keller
A Chinese "Free Christian School"— By
Mr. J.Falls
Three Duck's Eggs— By Mrs. H. T. Ford
In and About Chengyangkwan— By Mrs
H. S. Ferguson
"Pidgin English"
A Child's Ti.mimo:
— By Mrs. Goforth.
"God Hath Chosen the Weak Things" 91
Tempted Through Questionable Trades —
—By Mr. J. Meikle 92
An Appeal for Christian Nurses 92
Our Shanghai Letter — By Mr. J. Stark 92
Prayer Calls— Praise Echoes 93
Editorial Notes— By H.W.F 94
Donations 95
Photograph by Dr. F. A . Keller
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1665
By th. I.te REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
H.nry W. Frost, Chairman
E. A. Brownlee, Acting Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication ana
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Cbas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N J.
Rev. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Anfeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavlsh, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southern, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey. D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
el souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not f o into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitation of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(Including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers,
some of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and ethers provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,600 stations and
outstatlons have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries .>r native
laborers. There were 6,443 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 45,000 communicants.
Since 1865, over 70,500 converts have been
baptized.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Chnrch Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane, Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Oat.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications (of semes
in China should be made to " The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either of the
Mission offices.
The,
In the case of a donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If- no suck desti-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home of abroed-
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a dotsaboa U
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
" transmission " and for the private use of that individual.
e and bequeath. FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise a
to be expended for the appro-
priate objects of >aid Mission ;
and l direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mi.-
NOTE-In case the will i. made out is
the United States, the followmi words
Phil»delph'i«! n pen n .ylvania n ' ? Vcaie
the will it made out in Canada, the fol-
ing offices at Toronto, Ontario."
in fee simple, foe the use, bene-
fit and behalf of said Missssa
forever; and direct that the n-
lease of the Home Direeser o)
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows:
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. WEEKLY
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane Friday 8.00 p.m.
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave Wedpesdav 8.00 p.m.
)r, N.J. (Atlantic City).
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 120G Harrison St. .
Tacoma, Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington. 811 So. Junett St
..Tuesday 8.00 p.rr
. . Mon. Afternoon
h St Friday . .
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Misi
Vancouver, B.C.
Res., Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representative, 1017 Tenth Ave. E., specially arranged
Bible Training School, 356 Broadway W 2nd & 4th Friday. .8.00 p.m.
West Vancouver last Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Y.W.C.A., Dunsmuir St last Wednesday .3.00 p.m.
St. Louis, Mo.
., Dr. Mary H. McLea
. 1st Thurs. (morn). .8. 30 a.m
. 3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m
last TuesdaT 8. 00 p.m
!.lst Monday .
Albany, N.Y., Bible School. 107 Columbia St
Buffalo. N.Y., Res.. Miss Quadlander, 562 East Utica St
Lockport, N.Y.. Res., Mrs. W. B. Singleton. 189 East A\
Cleveland. Ohio, Res.. Miss Z. A. Brouehton, 4223 Cedar
Detroit. Mich., Res., Mr. James Bain, 114 Stanford Ave 3rd Friday 8.00 p.m.
Grand Rapids, Mich., Wealthy St. Bap. Church. .Thurs. preceding 1st Sunday. .8.00 p.m.
Pontiac, Mich., Res., Mrs. Robt. Garner, 90 Oakland Ave. . .1st Friday 7.30 p.m.
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec. Mrs. Ed. J.Lee . 2nd Thursdav 7.30 p.m.
Minneapolis, Minn.. Tabernacle Bap. Ch.. 23rd Ave. S. and_
8th St
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Church
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A.
Berkeley, Cal.. Res.. Mr,. Rakestra
Sherwood, Ore., Res.. Dr. Fosner. .
Seattle. Wash.. Res., Mr. O. G. Wh
Bellingham, Wash, Alternately e
F. M. Mercer, 2132 Walnut St. .
Mien, 949 No. Normandie
,', 2518 Dana S
'pDle,"l816 38tl
Y.W.C.A. and Res.. Mr.
[ Monday 7.45 p.m.
1st Thursday ...8.00 p.m.
1st Tuesdav 2.30 p.m.
2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
. .2nd Monday 3.00 p.m.
s homes. Sec. Mrs. E. L. Fenerty,
Armdale 2n d Monday 3 15 p
Montreal, Que., Res., Mr. J. David Fraser, 350 MacKay St.. .1st Monday .
Ottawa, Ont., At Y.W.C.A.
99 Acacia A
Niagara Falls, Ont.
Calgary, Alberta. Res.. Mr.
t St. 1st Monc
in, Com'd'r.
i. 5 West
Halifax, N.S., f
::4:66p;m:
. Stephens,
2nd Friday 8.00 p.m.
. D. McLean. 5 West Ave ... 3rd Friday 8.00 p.m.
. MNsi.m 'Rev. I. S. Pritchard.
1st Wednesday.
LondonTOnt!, Res., Rev. F. A. Steven, C.I.M. Representative.
598 Princess Ave 4th Friday 3.30 p.m.
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. George E. Pegg 1st Tuesday.
Bolscver. Ont.. At various homes. Sec, Miss A. M. McRae.
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont 1st Wednesday. . . .3.30 p.m
Winnipeg, Man., Res.. Mrs. W. R. Mulock, 557 Wellington
r™ 1st Friday 3.00 p.m.
.'. L. Forde, 1328 11th Ave. W. .1st Monday 8.00 p.m.
. Book and Bible Room. Fairfield Bldg., Cor-
', 3.00 p
Also
.8 00 p.m
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO JUNE, 1920
Trusting and Following*
By Dr. and Mrs. HOWARD TAYLOR
THE above words express better perhaps than
any others the message of Mr. Taylor's life
and the utter reasonableness of just that con-
secration of one's whole being to "trust HIM fully
and follow HIM closely." This was the main issue
with Hudson Taylor, the beginning, the middle and
end of the life in which there was so little of self,
so much of God. To trust Him fully was its guiding
principle, to follow Him closely its daily practice;
and all else developed as the natural, inevitable out-
come.
Speaking of the movements of the spheres, a
Christian astronomer said: "There are no closed
circles in nature. The planetary orbits, that may
seem so, are really open spirals ever advancing with
the onward sweep of the great star-systems round
their remote and unknown sun "
"Following hard after God," without reserve or
calculation, seeking only to "know Him" and accom-
plish His will, Hudson Taylor carried forward
through fifty years of constant activity and varied
service to stage after stage of attainment and
advance, until life lay behind him a finished story,
as perfect and complete as the harvest of the year.
Mr. Hudson Taylor's life had its Jubilee, its fifty
years of completed service; and that, moreover,
falling very naturally into the seven-fold divisions,
the seven-times seven-years that constituted the
period according to its divine institution. For the
Year of Jubilee did not stand alone. It was the
fiftieth year, following seven groups of seven years
(weeks of years) each of which was complete in
itself. And in the same way Mr. Taylor's lifework,
up to the appointment of his successor in 1900, falls
into seven such periods, recalling in their entirety
no closed circle of human achievement but the
glorious open spiral of the works of God.
At nineteen years of age his association with the
Chinese Evangelization Society may be said to have
begun, from which we may properly date the com-
mencement of his life work. Including his medical
studies in Hull and London, the long journey to
China and first three years of missionary service, a
period of seven full and important years led to the
crisis when he had to cease his connection (finan-
cially) with the Society which had sent him out, and
face' a life of complete dependence upon God, and
God alone, for the supply of temporal needs. It was
♦Condensed selections
the work on the second
biography.
the period of the Chinese Evangelization Society,
and his spiritual and missionary apprenticeship
(1851-1857).
The "week" that followed, begun in China and
ended at home, was that of the little independent
effort in which he and his colleagues, Mr. and Mrs.
Jones and Mr. Meadows, were so much used of
God. Commencing with his own most happy mar-
riage, it witnessed the culmination of his personal,
soul-saving work in China; the failure of his health;
his return home, and those long, hidden years in
East London. In poverty and obscurity, the corn of
wheat fell into the ground and died ; but on those
buried years depended in a very special sense the
harvest of to-day. It was, as regards outward
developments, the period of the Ningpo Mission
(1858-1864).
Then came God's "afterwards," beginning with
the event we celebrated in our Jubilee (1915) ; the
inception in his own soul, which had grown very
still before God, of the Mission that was to accom-
plish so much more than he could "ask or think."
With this step began a new and fuller life for Mr.
Taylor. But the period was one of inward learning,
deepening, growing, even more than of outward
activity. Though the Mission, occupying but one
station at its beginning, had spread to thirteen
centres in four provinces before its close, in his
soul an even more important advance had been
made. And it was' made in darkness of difficulty and
sorrow such as he had never known before. By the
open grave in which he had laid not only three
precious children, but the young wife whom .he
loved with such devotion, he entered into the fuller
trust, the closer following that flooded his empty,
desolate heart with "joy unspeakable and full of
glory." This was the period of taking root, both
for the Mission and in his own experience (1865-
1871).
The next seven years brought a wholly new set
of challenges to faith, of launchings-out upon the
promises of God. It witnessed nothing less than
the opening up of inland China to the Gospel — that
magnificently bold yet trembling advance before
which the gates of brass were thrown open by the
divine hand, the bars of iron cut in sunder. It was
the period of attempting and achieving the impos-
sible (1872-1878).
Then came the period of success, not without pro-
found depths of soul-exercise under stress of diffi-
culty ; the period of following up the work of
84
CHINA'S MILLIONS
heroic pioneers by sending women-missionaries in-
land, even unmarried ladies, and so beginning in
earnest the more settled evangelization of the vast
interior ; the period also of gathering in the first
converts in all but one of the hitherto unreached
provinces ; and of the first large growth of the
Mission itself, in numbers and influence at home —
including the outgoing of "The Seventy" and of
"The Cambridge Band" (1879-1885).
How the circles widen as God unfolds His per-
fect plan! With the year before "The Hundred"
we enter upon the sixth and best-known period of
Mr. Taylor's life, the time of his widest usefulness
as regards the actual reach of his activities, which
extended during these seven years (1886-1892) to
America, Scandinavia, Germany and Australasia, in
all of which new branches of the Mission were then
formed. It is the period of overflow, marked also
by the perfecting of internal organization — the ap-
pointment of Mr. J. W. Stevenson as Deputy Direc-
tor in China, and of a Council of senior mission-
aries to assist in carrying on the work.
A period of consolidation began (1893-1899) ;
years in which the scaffolding was being taken
down of Mr. Taylor's personal control in every
part of the Mission. It was the period in which
more and more he was working through others ;
through men and women blessed and inspired by
the upward course of the leader they sought to
follow, as he followed Christ.
Then came the fiftieth year with its crown of
sorrows — 1900, memorable forever as the period
when the church of the living God in China went
down into death with her Lord, to rise again with
Him into "newness of life." In one sense it broke
the great, tender heart that had borne already such
a world of sorrows. But Elisha was there, in a
"never-failing providence, to receive the mantle of
Elijah.* And before his departure, five years later,
Mr. Taylor himself was privileged to see "the far-
off interest of tears." The last of China's inland
provinces, the longest to hold out against the invin-
cible might of dove and self-sacrifice, had flung
wide its portals to messengers of Jesus — and there,
from the heart of the first Christian church estab-
lished in Hunan he was caught up as by a chariot
of fire.
All this and much more we remember and fain
would illustrate from Mr. Taylor's correspondence,
for the quickening and comfort of our own souls.
Brevity forbids, however, more than one or two
quotations, chosen to bear upon the thought before
us — that of the fulness of the trust and close-
ness of the following with which he sought "to
apprehend" that for which also he was "apprehended
of Christ."
"I have asked Mr. Pigott to hand you some silver
he took back with him to Shansi," he wrote to Dr.
Schofield in 1881. "I enclose receipts. It has come as the
♦The appointment of Mr. D. E. Hoste as Acting
General Director, made by Mr. Taylor in the latter half
of 1900, and confirmed by the China Council early in the
following year, led by God's blessing to his taking up
the responsibilities of the General Directorate, which Air.
Taylor finally resigned at the close of 1902.
answer to more than usual prayer; may I not hope a
more than usual blessing will rest upon it? It is not the
much or the little that is all-important. The handful of
meal in the widow's barrel might last longer than a store
on which God's blessing did not rest. I do feel that our
adorable Master has made us so rich in Himself, has
given us such wealth in His heart's love and all that that
includes and implies, that we can do with or without
anyone or anything else, as He may see best. It is yet
true that 'man doth not live by bread alone,' and equally
true that yearning human hearts are not to be satisfied
with earthly love alone. How many have to say, or
perhaps rather to feel, 'Whoso drinketh of this water'
thirsts again. But we can sing: 'Thy love so pure and
changeless, satisfies my heart; Satisfies its deepest long-
ings, meets, supplies its every need, Compasseth me round
with blessing: Thine is love indeed.'
"The Lord Jesus, this year of very peculiar trial from
almost every quarter, does make my heart well up and
overflow with His love. He knows what our separations
and other incidents of service mean, and He so wonder-
fully makes all loss gain — as many seem unable to under-
stand. Excuse my running on in this way. My glad heart
feels as if it must have vent, even among figures and
remittances."
Of an earlier date is a letter that expresses the
eager longing after God that runs like a thread of
gold through his correspondence. It was penned on
half a sheet of notepaper to a young missionary who
had come out to China with Mr. and Mrs. Taylor
only a few weeks previously :
"Jan. 2, 1873: One thing you need, dear Sister, is
to know God better. Not in ourselves, not in our pros-
pects, not in heaven itself are we to rejoice, but in the
Lord. If we know Him, then we rejoice in what He gives
— not because we like it, if pleasing; not because we think
it will work good, if trying; but because it is His gift,
His ordering. And the same in what He withholds, or
takes away.
"Oh, to know Him! Well might Paul, who had caught
a glimpse of His glory, count everything as dross and
dung compared with this most precious knowledge. This
makes the weak strong, the poor rich, the empty full;
this makes suffering .happiness, and turns tears into
gems, as the sunshine turns dew into diamonds. This
makes us fearless, invincible! If we know God — when
full of joy we can thank our Father, the Giver of all;
when without joy we can be glad of that, for it is our
Father's ordering. When we have those we love we can
thank Him; when we yearn for those we love, we can
thank Him. For the hunger that makes us feed, the
thirst that makes us drink, we can thank Him; for what
is food or drink without appetite? And what is Christ
to a self-satisfied, circumstance-contented soul?
"Oh, to know Him! How good, how kind, how glori-
ous; our God and Father, our God and Savior, our God
and Sanctifier — to know Him!"
For ourselves and for the work we have received
as a sacred trust, let us even in these difficult days
seek the vision that never fails as long as we are
following closely, trusting fully. "God always
blesses us in the China Inland Mission," Mr. Tay-
lor said from long experience, "when we undertake
forward movements." But — and is it not the lesson
of his life — such movements must grow from with-
in. Planted by rivers of water, its roots going down
deep and ever deeper, the tree whose leaf does not
wither brings forth fruit in its season, regardless
of threatened drought. And so, amid all that would
depress and oppose, with the last great opportuni-
ties before us, and the triumphant assurance amid
the gathering gloom, "Lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the age" — the end that draws
so near — "the people that do know their God shall
be strong and do exploits."
JUNE, 1920
Rousing the Church in China
By Mrs. J. C
SINCE we resigned our regular field in North
Honan to enter the wider door of holding mis-
sions for the deepening of the spiritual life of
the Christian church in China we feel deeply grate-
ful to God for the abundant evidence that He has
been leading, and for the definite signs of the Holy
Spirit's working.
The outstanding fact that faces us as we go for-
ward in this work is the tremendous need for revi-
val in the Chinese church at this present juncture.
Practically everywhere we find native evangelists
and pastors planning to seek more lucrative employ-
ment in business, but who. on getting revived, are
impelled to go on preaching. We find, too, from
the confessions made, that every sin outside the
church can be found inside the church.
Early in February, 1919. we found that revival
had already begun through some twenty Chinese
leaders who had attended revival meetings some
weeks before. During fifteen days about four hun-
dred heathen gave in their names as wishing to
learn the Gospel, though the main meetings were
for Christians. We have since heard of a most in-
teresting and encouraging work going on among
merchants.
Three other missions were held in Chihli Prov-
ince. The most noteworthy incident of the Peking
meetings occurred when eighty students of the
Government Military Academy stood up and ex-
pressed their desire to study the Bible. This was
after hearing the story of General Feng. Four mis-
sions were held in Honan Province. At one place
two hundred gave in their names as learners, and a
most blessed movement took place among the Chris-
tians. At Kaifeng fifty young men of the Baptist
College professed conversion. But the crowning
mission of the year was held among General Feng's
troops. We have just heard that over a thousand
more of these soldiers have been baptized since our
visit among them.
For years the call to hold revival meetings in
South China has, for several reasons, been set aside
till "after the war." The call was renewed, and the
way opened for us to come South in October. The
most serious difficulty facing us was having to speak
through an interpreter, for our Northern dialect
was like another language. Then we were told
South China had never seen anything approaching
a revival movement. And some were quite sure the
Southerners could not be moved as the Northerners.
I shall give one or two extracts from Mr. Go-
forth's private diary which will speak for them-
selves. Of the first mission, just one page records
the following: "The prayers at the 7.30 a.m. pray-
er-meeting were intensely earnest and real, some
even to tears. They show the Spirit of God is
searching hearts. Some are putting crooked things
straight. What sorrow for sin! What earnest
pleading for the infilling of the Holy Spirit ! A
teacher said : 'Oh, Father, how can we teach our
*In the "Life of Faith," London.
girls unless filled with Thy Spirit?' It seemed as
if the Spirit of God was indeed refining as silver
and gold are refined and we rejoice that the South-
ern heart is opened by Him just as easily as the
Northern."
Then on another page is the following: "It
seemed as if dozens were praying and confessing
with tears. I asked Mr. to close with the
benediction, but he scarcely had two words out
when three of the school girls began to pray. We
just had to let them, and many others, go on. The
meeting lasted two and a half hours." At this
mission over eight hundred heathen gave in their
names at the evening Gospel meetings which were
conducted by one of the missionaries.
Eight days travel up-stream, over 350 rapids,
brought us to a far inland and lonely station. The
ten days' fellowship with the band of missionaries
there will always remain one of the most sacred
memories of my life. God met us in a very real
way, and we know we can safely leave the results
at that place to Him.
The next mission came in Canton, that "wonder- ■
ful, wicked," yet exceptionally open city, the
greatest city in many ways in China. The three
independent native churches had united in calling
Mr. Goforth to Canton. The meetings were held in
the largest church, holding 1,200, which became
packed to overflowing with one of the most enlight-
ened audiences Mr. Goforth had ever met in China.
Most of them were well-educated men and women,
and many students. Some were of high position
and wide influence.
The details of those days would fill many pages.
The Lord was working day by day in the hearts of
very many, confessions of all kinds came from men
and women broken down by the convicting power of
the Spirit of God. It was therefore regretted by
all that just when the meetings were at their high-
est in interest and power and attendance they had
to close for the mission promised for South Canton.
But we do praise God for what we were permitted
to see at this second mission in Canton. Practically
every season of prayer after the address was
marked by great brokenness of 'spirit and many
confessions.
A number of blind students from the Institute for
the Blind, attended the meetings, taking full notes
with stylus in "point print." Each evening on their
return home these students gave out these notes to
the entire school. The principal told me that the
notes were so complete it was as if Mr. Goforth
were speaking to hear them read out. A most
hopeful movement is now going on among these
blind.
On one occasion, when there was a sweeping
movement in the church, one blind girl prayed as
follows: "Oh, Father, I thank Thee for even taking
away my physical sight, so keeping me from seeing
much that is evil. And I thank Thee for giving me
the inner sight that now sees only Thy Glory !"
86
CHINA'S MILLIONS
One Chinese lady doctor, who had been a pro-
fessing Christian, but for seventeen years had never
been to a place of worship, and who had become
even an opponent of Christianity, was persuaded to
go to one of the meetings. She sat as near the door
as possible, so as to be able to flee if things became
uncomfortable for her. The Spirit of God con-
victed her so mightily at the very beginning of the
address that she broke down, and later yielded her-
self wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ. A friend of
hers later told me that she was truly born again;'
she now is full of the joy of the Lord.
It is a wonderful privilege to be permitted to
engage in such a work ; but oh ! how we need and
long for thousands of intercessor co-workers. Only
as we are kept ourselves on a high plane can we lift
others up. And a high plane is a dangerous place
to be unless protected from the storms. "Brethren,
pray for us !" is our earnest plea. And pray for
China that those who have the light may become
light-bearers to their own people !
I want to pass on to you something my husband
said a few days ago, believing it may help some to
see our need for helpers in prayer. He said: "I
feel I can no longer agonize in prayer as formerly
after giving an address, my strength is not suffi-
cient. / feel others must take up this burden."
Three Birthday Letters
By FRANK A. KELLER, M.D., Changsha, Huna
Photograph by
THREE years have passed since we left home for
China.* We had just nicely arrived in
Changsha when Mrs. Keller was prostrated
with typhoid fever. Mother, of course, could not
speak Chinese, so all the details of the home had to
be looked after by me as well as those of the newly
re-organized and rapidly growing work. A serious
and prolonged relapse followed the regular course
of the typhoid, but in time God graciously granted
a good, recovery, and after a summer in the moun-
tains, Mrs. Keller was able to take on a large and
important part of the work. During our first year
we had thirty-eight full course students who came
from ten missions and from five different provinces.
Mrs. Keller taught two hours daily throughout the
year. In addition to the work in our own school
she has taught weekly two classes of nurses in the
Yale Hospital and two classes in the Presbyterian
School for Women. Besides this, she has responded
to many calls for addresses.
Just when we felt that we were nicely settled,
civil war began. Changsha was filled with soldiers,
first of the North, then of the South, as one side or
the other gained temporary advantage. Early one
*Dr. Keller's return to China in 1916 was made possible
by the willingness of his widowed and dependent mother
to venture at the age of eighty to accompany her son and
his wife into a strange and foreign land.
morning Mr. Hsiao, who lives near the railroad,
'phoned me that about 3,000 Northern soldiers were
coming up the track, hungry, weary, and desperate,
as they had not had food or rest for three days and
nights. Conditions looked very serious. The
American Consul 'phoned and asked me to meet a
committee of the Chinese Board of Trade and help
in making plans for housing and feeding these
defeated troops so as to avoid, if possible, a general
pillaging of the city. Other missionaries co-
operated and by late in the afternoon we had 3.000
temporarily housed and fed, but we had to work on
until long past midnight before we completed the
work of housing and feeding other thousands who
came along later. By the end of the week we were
caring for some 7,000 soldiers.
One night all the leading stores and banks were
looted by retreating troops, and the city was in
great terror and excitement. On two occasions all
ladies and children of the foreign community were
called out to the steamers or house-boats by the
American Consul, and placed under the protection
of the American and British gunboats that were in
port. On the second occasion some forty or fifty
American women and children were on three large
house-boats which were anchored alongside the
American gunboat. The American sailors did all
in their power to make their guests safe, comfort-
able, and happy. The house-boats were heavily
armored with great sheets of steel, and the boats
were quickly wired by the sailors and well lighted
by a current from the gunboat dynamo. Just think
of Mother, past eighty-two, going through all this
tumult and strain, hearing the guns and cannon, and
even worse, the yells that she could not understand.
It was truly wonderful how God sustained her.
In the midst of all the work, instructions came
from home to purchase a site and begin the work
of a Bible School in Changsha. You will never
know what it means to purchase land and get your
deeds recorded and officially sealed in inland China
until you have come and tried it. It baffles descrip-
tion. Oh the hours, yes. . whole days, spent in
intense, and often seemingly fruitless effort ! Every
possible and impossible difficulty is raised by the
JUNE, 1920
officials and other interested persons, and all have
to be met and overcome by patient, prayerful, and
prolonged effort. In the meantime there is the
regular daily work to be done.
Praise God for victory! A fine site has been
secured, the deeds are recorded and sealed with the
government seal, a good wall has been built around
the site.
The call for dwellings was most urgent. Mr.
Hsiao was living in a house all propped up with
poles to keep it from falling, and we were driven
out of our rented house by that pest of the tropics,
white ants. They had eaten away floors and tim-
bers, had gotten into some of our boxes and com-
pletely destroyed the contents, and were getting
into our books and other things. We have stored
our things in some rooms secured in a neighboring
building, and Mother and Mrs. Keller are spending
the summer at Kikungshan, one of the mountain
resorts to which the missionaries go to escape the
intense heat of July and August; meanwhile the
landlord is tearing out all the woodwork of the
house. This has been another experience in
"roughing it" for Mother Keller.
On the 28th of April, 1919, Mother celebrated her
eighty-third birthday, which was also her third
birthday in China. As the birthday came on Mon-
day, Mrs. Keller gave a birthday reception for
Mother on the previous Saturday afternoon so as
not to interfere with our Bible School work. It was
a beautiful day. Eighty-three guests, mostly mis-
sionaries, together with our Chinese helpers, were
invited, and it was a very happy occasion.
The Chinese make very much of birthdays, especi-
ally in the case of those of advanced age, and each
year on Mother's birthday all the evangelists in our
bands have sent their cards and congratulations.
This year the letters which accompanied the cards
87
from two of the bands were particularly interesting
and touching.
The men of Band No. 1 wrote:
We send our most respectful greetings to the vener-
able Mrs. Keller. Each year on the 28th of the 4th
month, the honored anniversary of your birth, we remem-
ber you. As we know that you have come from a land
abounding in things both beautiful and useful we will not
attempt to send you any material gifts, but we desire
to send you the record of the past year's work that we
may rejoice together. Through the work done during
the second half of last year (really three months, October-
December) the following additions have been made to the
church this year: At the village of Hwang-Gia-Ting
twenty-three, at Gin-Cheng fourteen, and at Siao-Hsi-Dzi
eighteen, a total of fifty-five. All these said in their
testimony at the baptismal service:
"Had not the Los Angeles Evangelistic Bands come to
us how could we have known of Jesus?" However, we
realize that if you had not been willing to come to China,
Dr. Keller could not have come; had he not come, we
would not have been sent out to these distant places to
preach the Gospel; these people would not have heard the
invitation, and so would not have believed in Jesus.
Therefore this great blessing from God is because you,
honored madam, have come to China, and so we make
this report to you and offer it as our birthday gift. On
behalf of those just mentioned we desire to thank you,
we pray also that God may bless you and give you peace.
The men of another band wrote :
We respectfully ask Mrs. Keller, Senior, to read our
letter and we hope that it will bring you much joy. This
is your third birthday in China. We all rejoice exceed-
ingly and from this great distance send you our greetings.
One thing we cannot lose sight of. You, aged madam,
seeing the Chinese in darkness, have not feared distance,
but you have manifested a zeal like that of Hannah in
giving her son to the service of God, and while you can-
not go out in person and take an active part in the work
of God, it can be truly said of you as of Deborah that
"You are a mother in Israel." By your earnest prayers,
offered in singleness of heart and soul you help the
church. So we at this distance, helped by you, have
worked during the past year in seven different fields. In
these places over three hundred persons have manifested
a deep interest in the Gospel, and we think at least fifty
of these are true believers. We send this report as a
Pholograph\by Dr. F.\A . Keller
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Photograph by Dr. F. A. Keller
birthday greeting and we hope that believers will in-
crease year by year as your age advances.
On the evening of Mother's birthday, the mem-
bers of Band' No. 1 held a special meeting for
testimony and prayer, and a few days later this
letter came to hand. I will translate it as literally
as possible :
Our work here at Liu-Gia-Chiao is full of joy as we see
the enthusiasm and sincerity of the inquirers, but to-day
all are specially happy over the blessed results of a prayer
meeting held on the birthday of Mrs. Keller, Senior. At
this meeting we told the story of her life and then had a
time of prayer seeking God's blessing upon her. I now
want to tell you of four of the direct results of this meet-
ing. 1. At Liu-Gia-Chiao is a family named Wu. Mr.
Wu had accepted Christ, but Mrs. Wu opposed him bitter-
ly. Touched by the testimony at this meeting she went
straight home, made up with her husband and decided
to join him in the service of Christ, so together they re-
moved from their home all idols and everything connected
with idolatry and brought them to us. 2. An elderly man
named Bih believed the Gospel but he too was opposed
by his wife who was an enthusiastic idolater. One day
she wanted to go to the temple to worship idols but he
would not permit her to do so, then a bitter quarrel began
which continued to the time of the special meeting. Two
days later we went to their home, the wife renounced
her Buddhistic vows and the entire family of ten persons
accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. 3. The landlord of
the inn where we are stopping was so moved at this
meeting that he offered a room on the second floor of his
inn to be used as a permanent prayer meeting room. All
the employees at this inn, as well as the landlord, have
confessed their faith in Christ. 4. The inquirers as a
whole, when they heard how the aged Mrs. Keller had
come out to China, said: "This aged person has shown
such love for us, let us take heed that we do not regard
it lightly." They at once completed the organization of
a prayer circle to meet regularly for the study of God's
Word and for prayer.
As you read these three letters you will see how
God can use the silent testimony of a single life,
even in advanced years and in a far away land where
the language is neither spoken nor understood.
By the way of contrast I want to tell you of how
God used a little boy of nine years to bring many
to Christ.
When a band of our evangelists takes up work in
a new centre the men first make a map of the dis-
trict covering an area with a radius of about five
miles, then after a day of special prayer they begin
a systematic visitation of the homes in that district
and continue until they have visited, so far as pos-
sible, every home in the district. They seek to have
personal talks with the people living in each home
and present to them a copy of some portion of God's
Word. During these visits they invite the people to
the preaching service held at the centre in the even-
ing. As soon as people begin to manifest an inter-
est, evening classes are started for inquirers, one
for men, one for women, and another for boys and
girls. The evening evangelistic services are con-
tinued also.
They have little single page tracts each one
containing one verse of some Gospel hymn. They
teach one of these verses, together with a verse of
Scripture, to the boys and girls each evening, and
before the evangelists have been in a place many
days they have the boys and girls singing the Gos-
pel message all over the place from early till late.
At a place called Niang-Hsi little Suen Chung-tien,
nine years of age, came to the meetings regularly
though he lived nearly a mile away. Every evening
he would return home and repeat what he had learn-
ed ; he also taught his parents and some of their
neighbors to pray. When at last the evangelists
JUNE, 1920
visited that home, the father saw them coming and
said to Chung-tien, "Here come the evangelists, you
had better pray," so the little fellow led in prayer.
By God's blessing on this little chap's life and testi-
mony his father, mother, sister, and some neighbors
were led to faith in Chirst and at the time of the
last report from the village they were attending the
class for inquirers regularly to learn the way more
perfectly.
A Chinese "Free Christian School"
By Mr'. JOHN FALLS, Kihsien, Shansi
FIRST of all, we are glad to report an increase
in the membership of the church here. Six-
teen have been baptized, twelve men and four
women; but against this increase we have to deduct
seven whom we have lost by death, and three by
declension, leaving our present membership stand-
ing at 105. This is higher than at any previous
time, and when we remember that eight years ago,
when we first settled in the district, there were only
forty-eight members, we have much to give thanks
for, but we are far from satisfied with these results
and long to see much more fruit.
We have some reason for encouragement in re-
gard to contributions. Especially so if we include
the amount of time given in voluntary service.
Those brethren who are able, have always given
their time freely in the leading of Sunday services
and in certain other helpful ways, but it is in the
newly opened town of Peh Kiai (pronounced some-
thing like Bay Jay) that the brethren have been
foremost in voluntary work during the year.
One young man here, still in the inquirer stage,
and the only son of a fairly well-to-do father, having
come under the power and attraction of Christian
truth, felt strongly impelled to do something in the
way of education for the boys of the town, and so
decided to open a free school. Being a graduate of
a high-class college himself, he felt that here was
an opportunity to use his learning for the Lord; so,
after consultation with the missionaries and his few
local fellow-Christians, and securing the necessary
official sanction, he rented his building and hung
out his signboard bearing the words, "The People's
Free Christian School."
The attendance of boys proved higher even than
the good expectations of the promoters, thirty-eight
having registered during the first three or four
months. These lads being of several different
grades, the teacher found he had more on his hands
than he could properly attend to, and this gave
another of the Christians his opportunity for ser-
vice. In this case it was a young man who happened
to be out of employment and, fortunately being
possessed of sufficient education for an assistant
teacher, he has gladly given more than half a year
of his time to the work of the Free School.
I am making special mention of this little school
the more gladly because of its being an entirely
independent effort on the part of a comparatively
small band of Christians. In fact, this is the only
purely Christian school in our district. In the past
several considerations have combined to prevent us,
as conditions have been, from taking part in edu-
cational work, and we have waited for years to see
the native church take the initiative in it. We are
thankful to say that spiritual blessing has already
been seen in connection with the school. It has
come to be the recognized meeting place for the
Sunday services and already many have heard the
Gospel there.
We ourselves were greatly encouraged at the
time of our four days' special Bible classes conduct-
ed in one of the school rooms early in the month of
December. Each day, by the Lord's grace, the
Bible lessons seemed naturally to resolve them-
selves into urgent Gospel messages, and before the
close of the meetings some twelve adults and three
or four scholars had openly confessed faith in the
Savior in the presence of all.
Three Duck's Eggs : or the Kindness
of Country Folk
By Mrs. H. T. FORD, Taikang. Honan
MRS. CHEN (the bible-woman) and I went seven
miles into the country to see the mother and
the young widow of a Christian who died
lately of cholera. We set off before ten in the
morning on two barrows and got to the village a
little after noon. Our barrowmen pushed well, and
it was nice riding through the cold, clear air ; but
we were not sorry when we reached the place and
saw a crowd of women and children waiting to greet
us.
The evangelist had cycled out the day before to
tell them we were coming, so the few inquirers
living near had gathered to meet us. I was glad we
had gone and so thankful to find that instead of the
death of their dear one making them fearful or cold
in heart they were all the more keen to believe and
follow the Lord.
I had taken my Bible and tried to have a little
reading and talk with the few who cared to listen,
but the neighbors' children crowded in and were
so unruly that it was almost impossible to speak or
hear.
After a time Mrs. Li said, "Now we must see
about dinner !"
I protested we could easily wait till we got home
in the evening.
"A likely story!" she replied, and set her
daughter-in-law to prepare food.
There was a good deal of running backwards and
forwards, getting flour, bean curd, etc., and two of
the younger inquirers went to the kitchen to help,
while the older ones and I sat talking.
By and by, dinner was brought in, and I was very
touched, for I saw they had prepared of their best.
Dough strips, thin cakes of unleavened bread baked
over a hot iron plate (very hard and indigestible),
a basin of bean curd, and three hard-boiled salted duck's
eggs were put on the table, then we were invited to
draw near.
We sat down, seven grown-ups and three tiny
90
CHINA'S MILLIONS
tots. After thanks had been given, Mrs. Li took
np a duck's egg and passed it to me saying, "I have
not cut them open. They are nice and clean if you
break the shell and dig your chopsticks in."
Politeness demanded my returning the egg to the
plate, but it was passed back again, so I began to
remove the shell, watched by Mrs. Flower (one of
the visitors I had not met before) with an astonish-
ed face. She evidently could not understand my
being so devoid of good manners as to accept it so
soon !
After the shell was off, I broke it in two and pass-
ed half of the egg to her saying, "You must share
it with me."
But she immediately said, "Oh, no, I couldn't,"
and passed it on to the two little girls.
Finally the half egg was again divided by Mrs.
Li and rubbed on to pieces of thin bread which was
rolled up and soon dispatched by these little ones.
I then broke off another piece, and gave it to the
wee boy visitor. His mother protested but in the
end allowed him to eat it. Having still about a
third left I thought I ought to dispose of it or they
would think it was not appreciated ; so I ate it up
with my bread, and very nice it was !
Mrs. Li had passed another egg to Mrs. Chen who
returned it to the plate several times, but at last
was obliged to break it open. She ate about a
thimbleful, and then refused to take more and it lay
on the plate with the one remaining egg which had
not been touched.
After our dough strips, bread and a small portion
of the basin of bean curd had been disposed of, we
had a- little singing of hymns they knew and then
some prayer. Finally, as the sun was far over in
the west we said we must be going as we should be
out after dark.
When I picked up my Bible tied in a handkerchief,
I found a hard knob protruding and at once divined
it was the third egg. "Now Mrs. Li," I exclaimed,
"I'm not going to take this duck's egg home ! You
must keep it for your little grandchild."
But she said, "No, indeed I won't! I'm determin-
ed you shall take it home for Baby," and after pro-
testing again, I had to take it away with me.
We got home just at dark, but a full moon was
riding high in the sky, and Willie and Colin, who
are here for the holidays, came out to meet us on
bicycles.
Next morning at breakfast, Eleanor ate the whole
duck's egg and much enjoyed it and I thought as I
sat down to our well spread table — porridge and
milk, coffee and scrambled eggs— how bountifully
we fare and how different our lot to that of these
poor dear country people, who live almost entirely
on coarse flour food and have hardly any change or
variety, rarely seeing even an onion!
They tell us that Luther ignored good works. It
is true that he would not allow good works to be
spoken of as the means of salvation ; but of those
who professed faith in Jesus he demanded holy
lives. Luther abounded in prayer and charity. —
Spurgeon.
In and About Chengyangkwan
By Mrs. HENRY S. FERGUSON, Chengyangkwan, Anhwei
AN earnest "vegetarian" who had heard the
Gospel from Mrs. Wong on previous visits to
Yingshanghsien, told us this last time we
were there that she had ceased burning incense and
reading her heathen classics (a way of accumulating
merit). But she is afraid to confess her faith to her
old father, who is nearly eighty years of age, and
as he also is a vegetarian, she cannot break off her
vegetarian diet without greatly offending him, and
in his very advanced age she is afraid to do so. They
are without other near relatives, and she cannot do
otherwise than care for him and eat with him. She
is single and past thirty years of age — quite an ex-
ception in China!
A wedding at Changpaitu, January 10th, was the
first Christian marriage in that town. We were
anxious to attend and do all we could to make it an
occasion which would lead other families to have
similar ceremonies instead of the usual heathen
rites. The father and mother of the groom are both
Christians, and the two young people are inquirers,
he being seventeen and she eighteen years of age.
We should have preferred that they had waited till
they were older, but as the bride had been living
with her husband's people since she was six years
old, the Chinese view of things made it seem best
for them to be married.
Never having seen a Christian wedding, nearly
the whole town tried to crowd into the little chapel,
every inch being occupied and many standing in the
courtyard ; nevertheless there was quiet attention
during the whole service, which included four
hymns and a number of Scripture passages, prayer
and charges to the young people before pronounc-
ing them man and wife. As the family is poor, the
bride did not come in a sedan chair, as is usual, but
I escorted her, with four girl students as a body-
guard, to and from the chapel. After the ceremony
we had to be their guests at the noon meal, which
was good without being an expensive feast.
In these days when an American dollar only
equals three-quarters of a Chinese dollar (instead
of being equal to two or more, as in 1916), we have
had two indications of God's provision for the work.
Mr. Tsui, our best evangelist, has relinquished his
salary, his family affairs being now so arranged that
he can support himself, and he continues to preach
as before. This week our wealthy member, a grain
merchant, brought a gift of $1,000 Mex. to be used
for building a new church here in Chengyangkwan.
There has been no move to raise funds for this pur-
pose ; it was simply his desire that the money might
be ready in case he should die before the building
was erected. Outside of these two men, our mem-
bers are all what would be considered poor people
in America or Canada. During the year just closed
our field has contributed toward church and mission
work $184.00. exclusive of the $1,000. Much of this
is out of extreme poverty.
The accompanying picture of -Mr. Tsui's wife and
children was taken last summer. The girl is our
Photograph by Mrs. H. S. Fergi
youngest church member, in Chengyangkwan, and
being "pastor's daughter" takes quite a "pastoral"
interest in all the old ladies as well as the girls who
attend meetings. She is now studying at Hwai-
yuen, and I hope she will make a helpful worker
later. You can see the small boy has still a bit of
the old Adam in him, but he is improving and can
sing several hymns quite well. The baby girl is a
dear as she looks. Mrs. Tsui was baptized with
her daughter last summer.
While Miss Tsui is the youngest member here, I
must say a word about our youngest member in
the district — an exceptionally bright little boy at
Changpaitu. He is only eleven, but he could answer
all the questions much better than his father or
most of the other candidates who were baptized
last spring. He leads in prayer quite naturally and
earnestly, and is not afraid to witness for our Lord
before other boys. During our last visit to Chang-
paitu he brought to my husband a list of six of his
schoolmates who wished to be examined as inquir-
ers and candidates for baptism. Nine boys from his
school were finally enrolled though they are not all
clear as vet on the essential truths. One little fel-
low aged twelve did nut know all the answers
required, but when asked if he was willing to be
Jesus' disciple all his life, his answer was, "More
than willing," with such an amount of emphasis on
the first word as would do your hearts good. His
sister was among those baptized last summer, but
his father and mother are not yet believers, though
friendly.
A Child's Testimony in "Pidgin English"
By Mrs. J. GOFORTH
I HAVE heard more "pidgin English" since coming
south, than in the thirty-odd previous years in
China.
For the benefit of readers, it may be said, that
"pidgin English" means business English, and is a
peculiar conglomeration of correct and corrupted
English, with words the origin of which no one
seems to know, thrown in here and there, and all
spoken in Chinese idiom. It is the language used
by the great majority of non-missionary foreigners
in China in communicating with the Chinese. The
title "bishop," described in pidgin English, is:
"Number one top-side talkee Heaven pidgin man."
The foregoing is given that the following beauti-
ful story, which I relate exactly as it was passed on
to me by the one who heard it, may be the better
understood. Truly " a little child shall lead them."
A boy of three was saying his evening prayers
at his mother's knee, the heathen amah (nurse)
standing by. As the boy rose and the amah tucked
him in bed she said, "Alfie, who man b'long God?
(i.e., Who is God?) Every night, every morning
you talkee God. Who man b'long God?"
The child replied, "Amah, God b'long all same ting
hao (good) Joss-man" (a word for deity), raising
his left thumb — the Chinese sign for highest, best.
"He all the time stop top-side. Every day he lookee
down, see you." Then turning to his older sister he
said, "Margaret, you tell Amah who man b'long
God. She no savee" (understand).
But the amah said, "No, no, maskee (no matter),
I plenty now savee who man b'long God."
"God hath Chosen the Weak Things"
MRS. ALEXANDER MILLER, writing of one
of her country trips, which took Miss Beugler
and herself ten days, says :
"We visited Zinao, the place where the steamer
comes into Haeyiu. The little Dingbong* woman,
Hong Nao-sao, lives there. She has got some fruit
for the Lord there and Ave went to visit these be-
lievers. There are three or four of them, who come
now to church and they seem to be getting on
nicely. She is in Tongao now, where she has open-
ed a shop and seems to be doing well. We hope
she may get some fruit in that town also. She has
had typhus fever for a month and has not been able
to go to Soliu to church yet, but she never misses,
rain or shine, when she is well, and it is a long road.
"In Haeyiu there is a man who has a store, who
has begun to come, so we called on him. He was
at the C.M.S. Hospital in Taichow, and became in-
terested in the Gospel and so has been coming to the
Soliu church. He is not strong and has not begun
to let his light shine in Haeyiu, but seems real.
(Haeyiu is a large town, and splendid commercial
centre, but strongly opposed to the Gospel. Per-
haps someone will pray for it, also for this man!)"
*The village in which she formerly lived.
92
CHINAS MILLIONS
Tempted through Questionable Trades
By Mr. JOHN MEIKLE, Sinfeng, Kiangsi
WHAT we need here is a mighty outpouring of
God's Holy Spirit to enlighten the Christians
that they may realize the power of sin and
Satan, their enemy, so that they may put a deep and
complete trust in the true and living God and their
Savior. Jesus Christ.
There are so many temptations that the Chinese
Christians fall an easy prey to! Easy and un-
righteous ways to earn money prove a great snare
to them, especially in these parts where the hand-
ling of opium is becoming quite a money-making
trade and card-making which, suppressed for some
years, is now being revived. The cards are ex-
ported, I believe, to foreign lands, probably for use
among the Chinese.
The Chinese here are badly off for really good and
legitimate trades that a man can work at with a
clear conscience toward God and man. I am sorry
to say we had to discipline some of our church mem-
bers for tampering with the above trades, but we
trust they will see their folly and sin and repenting
will come out and be separated from such things
and again bear a good testimony fighting the
good fight in Christ. Please remember us in your
prayers, and also the work — which is not easy.
An Appeal for Christian Nurses for China
By Miss LEILA A. BATTY, Shanghai,
General Secretary for the Nurses Association of China
THIS appeal is issued by the Nurses' Association
of China, and is being sent to the Mission
Boards of different lands, with the request
that they will give it a place in their various publi-
cations.
We are praying that, as this appeal goes forth to
the home countries, there may be a great response
indited by the . Spirit of God, and many offers for
service as a result. We would like to keep the
spiritual side of the work up with the efficiency side
of nursing.
Napoleon Bonaparte is reported as having said "that
when China awakes she will change the face of the
earth." There is a responsibility laid upon those of us
who call ourselves Christians, to make it our aim that
when 'she does awake it will be as a nation that has
heard, and to some extent at least, obeyed God's call to
repent and believe the Gospel. Those of us who have
been even a few years in China, are seeing that she is
changing, that she is awaking, and we long that- the
foundation of that change will be for the eternal welfare
of this great people.
To this end we, the members of the Nurses' Association
of China, appeal to all Christian nurses in the home lands
to reconsecrate themselves to God's service, and obey
His command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), and "heal the
sick . . . . : freely ye have received, freely give"
(Matthew 10:8). Many of you heard the call of King
or President and country, and nobly lived and worked
during the years of war, seeking to "do your bit," and
now this higher call comes from the King of kings to
work with Him in this fight against sin.
The war is past, and to a great extent the need is also
past, and it may be many of you are ready for a new and
strange call to China. During the war the need was great
in many lands, in China the need for more nurses is an
insistent daily call. So great and so insistent, that one
wonders when and how that need can ever be met.
Within the last few years the opportunities for skilled
nursing, wherever hospitals have been established, have
increased by leaps and bounds, and now, even in the
homes of the people "a great door and effectual" is open
to Chinese graduate nurses.
With a population between three and four hundred
millions of people roughly speaking, between three and
four hundred mission hospitals and between three and
four hundred missionary nurses, it will be seen at a
glance how inadequate the service is for the care of the
sick and suffering of China. Two, nay three, great evils —
ignorance, dirt, and superstition — stand on every thres-
hold like gaunt and hungry wolves, and in maternity
work alone, the mortality of the mother and especially
of the child is appalling. The women of China need you.
the babies of China need you, and the Savior of the world
invites your co-operation in this great and pressing work.
The all too few hospitals are under-manned or shall
we say under-nursed. What is needed is the multiplica-
tion of our teaching staff in every branch of nursing, so
that there may be, year by year, a multiplication of well-
trained efficient Chinese nurses 'graduating from our
hospitals and ready for "any manner of service" in caring
for the diseased bodies and sin-sick souls of their own
people.
We ask you who read and you who hear, prayerfully
to consider this call to help in the fight against ignorance,
disease and sin, and to herald with us the "good news" of
"repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ." — The Executive Committee of the Nurses' Asso-
ciation of China.
Our Shanghai Letter
By Mr. JAMES STARK. Secretary of the China Council
Sinkiang. News from Tihwafu, the
Mission's farthest outpost, has been
received from Mr. G. W. Hunter, who
asks special prayer for a bright, well-
informed Christian man, named
Wang, who has been drafted from
Tihwafu to Hi, the place on the Rus-
sian border visited by Mr. Hunter
and Mr. Mather last summer, as
mentioned in the March issue of
"China's Millions." He joined the
Post Office there, so will, doubtless
be a great help to an enquirer in that
office. As regards the work at Tih-
wafu itself, Mr. Hunter writes: "We
are rather encouraged just now, as
some of those who had somewhat left
us are now coming to the meetings
again. One of them is a young Turki
Mohammedan and another a young
Tongan Mohammedan lad. We need
to pray for these also that they may
truly be on the Lord's side, and that
they may have courage to come bold-
ly out as true Christians. Mr. Mather
is studying hard at the Mongolian
language and is making very good
progress. We are thankful to God
for a measure of health and strength
granted to us."
Shensi. Last year Mr. C. Carwar-
dine conducted tent missions in the
Chengku district (south). He was
greatly encouraged by the way in
which the church members helped in
All
these evangelistic campaigns,
the members of the church are very
poor, and therefore were unable to
contribute much in the way of
money; but all the male members
each gave at least one month of their
time to the work. As a result, "Since
the beginning of the Chinese year,
over 6.000 dark heathen homes have
been visited by messengers of the
Gospel, and the people of fifteen
country wards have had days of
evangelistic services conducted within
a mile and a half of their dwellings.
During the year, 196 villages and
hamlets have been systematically
worked by house-to-house colpor-
teurs who have left a simple Gospel
JUNE, 1920
tract at each of over 6,000 homes and
circulated more than 5,000 Scripture
portions (all sold) among them.
Individual persons to the number of
271 in these districts have received
each a packet of specially selected
Christian literature, including the
New Testament, accompanied by a
carefully written and addressed in-
troductory letter. Gospel posters have
been posted up in many conspicuous
places by the roadsides, while at
fifteen centres, thousands of people
have listened to the Gospel message
within the walls of our tent. The
tent has been in use altogether about
six months, and has been well filled
practically every day. The preachers
have met with sincere seekers after
truth at all of the fifteen centres. One
specially encouraging feature of this
tent work has been the number of
children who have attended evening
after evening to learn Gospel hymns
and Bible stories."
Honan. Mr. C. N. Lack, writing
from Yencheng of a conference of
Christians in his station, mentions the
baptism of eighty persons, and adds :
"Our Conference was a time of rich
blessing. Such large numbers were
present at some of the services that
we had to open our large school room
as the church building was not large
enough. As many as 800 men and
women listened to some of the ad-
dresses. Mr. Brock and Miss Tippet
were present and helped us. Mr.
Cheo, our senior evangelist, who has
worked with me about fourteen years,
was ordained as a pastor on Sunday,
and yesterday we feel our church
took a real step in advance when, at
a meeting of all the leaders and
deacons, it was unanimously resolved
to support Mr. Cheo, as well as the
evangelist and boys' school teacher.
With large outstations growing up I
am sure you will agree with me that
it is important to guard against each
little church becoming self-centred.
I am thankful to say we now have
our Yencheng Church Council on
which each outstation is represented,
and a central fund to which all con-
tribute and from which the workers
supported by the Chinese church are
paid. This plan has commended it-
self to our workers as it tends to
prevent difficulties that might arise if
a man were supported by his own
little flock."
Szechwan. Mrs. Wupperfeld, on
her return to Kaihsien, writes: "It
may interest you to hear a little about
one of the seven women who were
baptized on Christmas day,- old Mrs.
Ch'en, now 65 years old. She has
been coming to the women's meetings
for nearly sixteen years — ever since I
came to Kaihsien. She knows much
of the truth as it is in Jesus and can
read a little. She is a woman with a
past. She has come out of the depths,
having been an opium smoker and
keeper of a house of ill fame. For
several years she had lived a changed
life, but I was afraid she was not
quite free from opium. She won the
respect of the Christian women, and
they all spoke on her behalf. The day
before she was baptized, she said in
the class : 'My sins have been many
and heavy, but the Savior has taken
them away and I have peace.' She
has never forgotten a few words
spoken to .her years ago by Mrs.
Beauchamp, now Lady Beauchamp:
'The mighty Lord is able to save.'
Praise God, I do believe Mrs. Ch'en
is a saved woman now !"
In a letter from Suifu, dated March
1, Miss E. L. Larsen writes : "We are
very much encouraged by the in-
creased interest on the part of Mr.
Hsiao, the teacher in the girls'
school. He is very desirous of study-
ing the Word, and has been coming
every day to learn more of the
Scriptures. He attends every service,
and is beginning to take part in dis-
cussions and also in prayer. I am
extremely thankful to God for this
Christian teacher, who is also recog-
nized by all as a man of learning and
proficiency, and covet prayer on his
behalf, that he may go on to know
the Lord and become a great blessing
in this community."
Anhwei. Mrs. H. E. Foucar, writing
from Kinghsien, says : "Of the six
men and women we had the joy
of receiving into church fellow-
ship at the time of our conference,
one has already been taken from our
midst to be with the Lord. Dear old
Mrs. K'ong — she heard the Gospel for
the first time last September . and,
93
with her, hearing was believing; she
accepted Jesus as her Savior that
very day, and for those three and a
half short months that she knew her
Savior, she witnessed for Him wher-
ever she went. The testimony of her
husband and family is that 'she
talked of Jesus night and day.' Like
Lydia, the Lord opened her heart.
We did little, it was the Spirit of
God accomplishing a work in the old
lady's soul, making her ready to enter
into her Savior's presence. Sunday
by Sunday she walked three or more
miles each way, coming and going,
to attend worship, arriving earlier
than those who live in the city. One
day she was knocked down by a
loaded mule into a ditch of water;
but this did not daunt her, or lessen
her earnestness. We were so sure of
Mrs. K'ong's simple faith in Jesus
and her sincerity in wanting to serve
Him, that we decided not to keep
her waiting for baptism. How happy
she was to confess Jesus and to sit
down with us to remember His
death at His table! We little
dreamed that it would be her first
and last time. We had all learned
to love dear old Mrs. K'ong, and her
death, three weeks after, was a great
blow to us. We had such hopes of
her for the future in the work! But
God's thoughts are not our thoughts,
and we must believe He makes no
mistakes."
Let us seek "the vision" which was
so manifestly Hudson Taylor's, that
never fails as long as we are "follow-
ing closely, trusting fully" (pages
83-84).
Praise God for churches in China
that have been aroused (p. 85).
Pray also for the missionaries being
thus used and that "those who have
the light may be light-bearers to
their own people!" (p. 86). Note Dr.
Goforth's call for "intercessory co-
workers" (p. 86).
Praise for the blessing which has
attended the colportage work in
Hunan, and the part which an in-
active associate has had in it (pp.
86-88), asking for God's continued
guidance of the work in the schools,
among pilgrims, and in the house-to-
house visitation, that His Gospel may
be proclaimed to the saving of many.
Give thanks for the "free Chris-
tian school" at Kihsien and other
encouragement in that station (p. 89).
Praise God for the strength of His
grace in the hearts of poor and be-
reaved Chinese Christians (p. 89).
Pray for the "earnest vegetarian"
lady, the pastor's family and others
at Chengyangkwan (p. 90), also the
"Dingbong woman" and the store-
keeper in Haeyiu (p. 91).
Pray for an outpouring of God's
Spirit at Sinfeng, also that the Lord
may guide Chinese believers into
proper sustaining occupations; and
remember the missionaries in their
work— which is not easy (p. 92).
Pray for response to the "Appeal
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
stian Nurses for China (p.
92).
Pray for Mr. Wang of Hi, Sinkiang,
and the work of Mr. Hunter and Mr.
Mather, also Mr. Hsiao of Suifu,
Szechwan (p. 93).
Pray for the Mission's Conference,
opening this month (p. 94).
ARRIVALS.
April 24th, 1920, at Vancouver, Rev.
T. E. Folke and Mrs. G. W. Gibb,
from China.
April 26th, at Vancouver, Rev. and
Mrs. W. Englund, Miss M. S. Cruick-
shanks and Miss A. Jensen, from
China.
May 24th, at Vancouver, Dr. and
Mrs. H. L. Parry and daughter Con-
stance, Mr. and Mrs. F. Joyce and
daughter Olive, Mr. and Mrs. P. A.
Bruce and three children, Mrs. S. R.
Clarke, Miss E. B. Thornblad and Mr.
H. G. McMaking, from China.
DEPARTURES.
April 19th, 1920, from St. John, N.B.,
Miss Agnes Baxter, for Scotland.
May 7th, from Quebec, Rev. T. E.
Folke, Mrs. G. W. Gibb and Miss M.
S. Cruickshanks, for England.
May 29th, from New York, Miss A.
Smirnoff, for England.
June 3rd, from Vancouver, Mr. D.
E. Hoste, also Miss Alice Lachlan and
Nora Evans, for China.
June 5th, from Montreal, Mr. and
Mrs. Herbert H. Taylor and daughter
Muriel, Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Joyce and
aughter Constance, and
Mr;
P. A.
children, for England.
ith their three
CHINAS MILLIONS
Editorial Notes
MAY we again announce that the annual Bible
and Missionary Conference of the Mission will
take place. God willing-, at Niagara-on-the-
Lake, Ontario, from Tuesday. June 29th, through
Sunday. July 4th. The speakers in the day meetings
will be chosen from the membership of the Mission
Council, together with one or two persons outside
of this circle, and in the evening meetings, from the
missionaries now at home on furlough. The Queen's
Royal Hotel will be the general rendezvous for the
Conference attendants, and the annexed Pavilion
the place where all meetings will be held. Rooms
and board may be secured at the Hotel or at houses
in the town. Further particulars may be obtained
by addressing the office of the Mission, either at
Toronto, or Philadelphia.
In continuance of the above note, may we urge
all of our friends to pray for the Conference, and as
many as may find it possible, to attend it. We need
in these perilous and disheartening days to
strengthen one another by prayer and fellowship,
and within the constituency of the China Inland
Mission, its annual meeting gives special opportun-
ity to do this. The Mission- is striving with all its
strength to keep in the old paths, both in scriptural
testimony and spiritual power, and we crave the
sympathy and help of all our friends in order that
we may be the better enabled to bring this to pass.
Please pray for us then, and if possible, please meet
with us during the days of the Conference. As to
prayer, kindly ask that the preliminary arrange-
ments may be under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, and also that each speaker, both teacher and
missionarv, may experience the induement of
power which is from the Holy One.
Mr. Hoste, after a somewhat lengthened sojourn
at Germantown, spent eight days with Mr. and Mrs.
Frost, at Lime Rock, Connecticut, where the latter
are residing for the summer. The days at Lime
Rock were occupied with prayer and conference,
Mr. Hoste and Mr. Frost taking counsel together
concerning the affairs of the Mission. After this
time, Mr. Hoste proceeded to Toronto, thence to
Chicago, thence to Los Angeles, and thence to San
Francisco and Vancouver. He spent the longest
period during this itinerary at Los Angeles, where
he had fellowship with Dr. Torrey, Dr. Farr, Mr.
Ralph Smith and others. At Vancouver he was the
guest of our representatives, the Rev. and Mrs.
Charles Thomson. He finally sailed for Shanghai
on the Empress of Asia, upon June 3rd. Those of
us who have met Mr. Hoste during this recent visit
rejoice in his having been in our midst and grate-
fully thank God for all the blessing he was to us.
We' shall follow him with ardent prayers, that he
may be kept in all his ways and used increasingly
to God's glory.
listed as cargo. We refer to the fact that it will
contain not only Mr. Hoste but also a large number
of other missionaries, and also Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Trumbull and Dr. W. H. Griffith Thomas. Mr.
Trumbull, as most know, is the editor of the
"Sunday School Times" and Dr. Thomas, as also
most know, is a Church of England clergyman
who was formerly at Oxford, was more lately a
professor at Toronto and is now a teacher in Bible
schools and Christian conferences. Mr. Trumbull
and Dr. Thomas are proceeding to Japan and China,
where they are to speak at numerous gatherings,
upon fundamental and experimental themes. Many
missionaries will hear their messages in the one
country and the other, and it is anticipated that
great good will be done. We hope that this will
be the case and ask our friends to pray frequently
and earnestly to this end. We would also ask our
friends to pray for Mr. Howard, Mr. Banks and Mr.
McQuilkin, who are left in charge of the interests
of the "Sunday School Times."
The steamer spoken of above, the "Empress of
Asia." will bear to the far east precious freight not
Pure religion is this. "To visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction and to keep himself un-
spotted from the world" (James 1:27). Paul
regards Christianity from the inward point of view,
James from the outward. Paul describes its root
and stalk, James its branches and fruit. Paul goes
down into the heart of the matter, James speaks of
what appears on the surface. Paul deals with
inherent life. James with manifested life. And it
takes both Paul and James to describe Chritianity
as it really is. For our religion is a composite. It
has its inner and outward aspects, its life hidden
and its life manifested, its judicial and experimental
sides. So the rounded Christian is to be a man of
two parts ; he is to be rooted in Christ and he is
to bear fruit unto the glory of God. In other words,
he is to be one who will always be under the
influence of voices. He will hear Paul say: "The
just shall live by faith" ; and he will hear James say :
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only." And it is by failing to give
heed to these two messages that many make ship-
wreck of their lives. The Roman Catholic hears the
words, "by works," and forgets the faith: and often
the Protestant, hears the words, "by faith." and
forgets the works. There is no doubt of the fact
that the former is the greater evil. But the latter
is also evil, a very great evil. We Protestants are
called upon to remember that we are saved to
serve; that the purpose and end of salvation is for
us to work out what God has worked in. Anything
short of this is a misconception of Christianity and
a travesty upon it. Thomas Paine submitted the
"Age of Reason" to Benjamin Franklin, asking him
if he should publish it. Franklin replied: "Burn it!
If the world is so bad with religion, what would it
be without it?" We all agree that this is a true
saying. But let us remember that the world in
spite of religion will be without it unless we make
sure to manifest it.
Here and There
Miss M. E. Standen has returned to her
former station, Kaifeng, Honan, but it is
planned that for three months of each year
she will engage in special work in the
outstations of Kwangchow where there is
great need and opportunity of Bible teach-
ing among the women. Her work at
Kwangchow this year was to be under-.
taken before the heat of summer.
Mrs. E. Grosart, whose health has been
better in lower altitudes than in the high
levels of the northern provinces, is being
transferred from Hwochow, Shansi, to
Jaochow, Kiangsi, where she will assist
Dr. Judd as nurse in the hospital. How-
ever, the present need for her help in
Pingyangfu in Shansi (Dr. Carr's hospital)
may have delayed this arrangement for a
few months.
Mr. J. H. Goby, formerly of this Mission
and now a lieutenant in the British army,
has been in charge of Chinese coolies in
Mesopotania.
Miss Ruth A. Smith of Ninghai, Che-
kiang, who in February was operated on
at Shanghai for appendicitis is reported
making a good recovery.
Miss M. E. Green, who since her arrival
in China in 1914 has given her services to
the work of the Mission offices in Shanghai,
left by steamer the middle of February for
Haiphong, French Indo-China, whence she
will go on to Tali, Yunnan.
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, MAY, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
MISSIONARY AND
Date N
1—602.'
603..
604. .
3—608. .
609. .
610.
611.
617. .
619. .
4—621 . .
622. ,
623. .
627. .
5—628 . .
651 . .
652. .
653..
12—1155. .
WD, 657. .
1 4 -659 .
15—661. .
IS— 66S.
19—669.
20—671. .
672. .
21—674 . .
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26- 607 B.-.|iii.-st 975
SPECIAL PURPOSES
S35 00
50 oo
50.00
Date No.
3—612. . .
613. . .
614,
618 Int.
620
4—624
625
626 Int.
5—633
6 635
8—640
641
642
10—647
64 I
654 ... .
12—656. . . .
13—658
$ 2.00
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42,311
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2.00
10.00
8.59
50.00
321 20
2.00
25.00
1,000 Oil
5.00
10.00
250 00
15.00
2.00
5.00
5 . 00
2.00
5.00
5.00
3.50
5.00
TORONTO
Date No. Amount
13—569 $ 5.00
14—570 10.00
571 1.00
572 3.00
15—575 5.00
576 20.00
577 10.00
17—579 .50
580 4.50
581 67.00
582 .50
583...... 1.00
584 600.00
IS— 585 25.00
587 750.00
20—590 30.00
591 5.00
592 6.50
21—593 5.00
22—597 36.00
25—598 2 . 50
26—599 5.00
601 50.00
602 2.00
27—603 25.00
604 10.00
28—605 3.00
SPECIAL PURPOSES
Date. No. Amount
1—527 Anon
6—538
-542
549
10—554
11-
-556
-560
13-
-568
14-
-573
574
17-
-578
IX-
-586
19-
-588
20—589
22-
-594
SUMMARY
From Philadelphia —
For Missionary and General Purposes
For Special Purposes
- $ 4,974.72
$ 13,134.32
'CHINA'S MILLIONS" WILL BE 75c. PER YEAR AFTER JUNE, 1920
From TUESDAY, June 29, through SUNDAY, July 4, 1920
at NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO, the
SIXTH ANNUAL
CHINA INLAND MISSION
BIBLE AND MISSIONARY
CONFERENCE
NIAGARA-ON-THE-
LAKE, PRACTICALLY
ON THE BOUNDARY
LIN.E BETWEEN
CANADA AND THE
UNITED STATES, HAS
LONG BEEN A CON-
FERENCE PLACE.
THE CONFERENCE
GROUNDS, OVER
LOOKING BOTH THE
NIAGARA RIVER AND
LAKE ONTARIO, ARE
QUIET, BEAUTIFUL
AND RESTFUL.
READERS OF "CHINA'S MILLIONS" well know that the China Inland Mission stands for a
conservative and reverent adherence to the Word of God and the faith "once delivered unto the
saints," as well as for a pre-eminently evangelistic purpose in missionary work. This publication from
month to month exemplifies what may be expected at the Conference from Bible teachers and ex-
perienced missionaries.
Why, then, come to hear, when one can stay at home and read ? God's spirit is truly ever present to
bless the prayerful, seeking reader, but the distractions of the world are such that even the morning or
evening "devotions" in the private room or family circle, even the sacred hour in church or meeting, have not
the power to bring us into the felt presence of God as has the place "apart." Individually and anywhere,
we may receive spiritual blessings, but there are often greater outpourings where a number are of "one accord
in one place."
Again, the gathering is a testimony. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith and let
us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together but exhorting one another : and so much the more as ye see the day approaching."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING ROOMS, RATES, OR ROUTES
write the QHjttta Jnlanft iflltHHtnn at either
237 SCHOOL LANE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. OR 507 CHURCH STREET. TORONTO, ONT.
1
EBENEZER
VOL. XX Villi. No. 7 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
MISSION OFFICES
GERM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
authorized July 18. 1918
TORONTO
JULY, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
Fruit in the Year of Drougi
The Pre-eminent Christ— Report
Prayer and a Restr
M Robbers — Bv Mr. C. G. Gnu-man
-,eustic Meetings in Kiani.s. -
s Hall and Mr. McCullnch
. 99 Dream— By Mr
' 10 ., Our Shanghai Letter— By Mr. J. .
, " Editorial Notes— By H. W. F. . ..
■ 1° 4 Prayer Calls— Praise Echoes ... .
JEHCW5M1J1REH
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
, the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI, CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownies, Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication ana
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norn. town. Pa.
Roy. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Cbas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N J.
Roy. Fred. W. Farr, D.D., Los Ane/elee, Cal.
J. J. Gartsboro, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rey. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Win, F. McCorkie, Detroit, Mlcb.
Rey. Jobn McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Roes, Ardmore, Pa.
Roy. W. J. Southern, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Roy. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Terrey, D.D., Los Angelee, Cal.
ORIGIN. Tbe Mi.. Ion was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the million.
of souls In the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified,
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission doee
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
tbe missionaries, but ministers to each as the
fund, eent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitation of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(Including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,500 native helpers.
some of whom are supported from the Misaion
funds, and ethers provided for by themselvee
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of l.MW station, and
outstations have been opened and are now
missionaries or native
laborers. Ther.
were 6,443 baptized in 1!
about 45,000 communicai
70,500 converts have \»
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lone, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications for seivice
n China should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either of the
Mission offices.
All checks, drafts, money and express orders should be made payable to the "China
in China (including Shanghai, Chefoo, etc. is
rates from the United States remain as they were,
donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object.
China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
I be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
ase it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad.
;ent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
e the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
1 for the private use of that individual.
Any sums of money
the Miss.on to relie
' ' transmission, ' ' an
and bequeath.
to be expended for the appro-
priate objecls of said Mission;
and I direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
NOTE In ca
the United Sta
need to be in
Philadelphia,
... FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise
of China Inland Mission 'see note), all that cert
of property) with the appu
imple. for the u
into the
fit and beh.lf of said Miss
forever; and direct that the
lease of the Home Director
..Wednesday 8.00 p
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows:
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. WEEKLY
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic Citv).
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale, C.I.M. Representative, e
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St Tuesday 8.00 p.n
Tacoma, Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington, 811 So. Junett St Mon. Afternoon
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home, 507 Church St
Vancouver, B.C.
. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representa
3 Ventnor Ave. . Friday . .
. .Friday 8.00 pre
Keefr
..3rd Friday 8.00 p.rr
Bible Training School. 356 Broadway W 2nd Friday 8.00 p.m.
West Vancouver. Union Church 3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Y.W.C.A., Dunsmuir St last Wednesday .3.00 p.m.
MONTHLY
Albany, N.Y., Bible School. 107 Columbia St 1st Thurs. (morn).. 8. 30 a.m.
Buffalo, N.Y., Res.. Miss Quadlander, 562 East Utica St 3rd Tuesday. .
Lockport, N.Y., Res., Mrs. W. B. Singleton, 189 ^
„ 1,4223 Cedar
Detroit, Mich., Res., Mr. James Bain. 114 Stanford Ave.
Grand Rapids, Mich., Wealthy St. Bap. Church. .Thi
Monday 7 . 30 p.m.
. . . 3rd Friday 8.00 p.m.
preceding 1st Sunday. .8.00 p.m.
Oakland Ave... 1st Friday 7.30pm
i. Ed. J. Lee . 2nd Thursday 7.30 p.m.
»c, Mich., Res., Mrs Robt. Garner,
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec, 1
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch., zora Ave. s. ana
8th St Thurs. after 1st. Sunday.
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Church Wed. after 1st Sunday.
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie
Ave 2nd Monday 7.45 p.m.
Berkeley, Cal., Res., Mrs. Rakestraw, 2518 Dana St
Sherwood, Ore., Res., Dr. Fosner
Seattle. Wash., Res., Mr. O. G. Whipple. 1816
Bellingham, Wash., Alternately
F. M. Mercer, 2132 Walnut St. .
t Y.W.C.A. and Res., Mr.
:.N. 2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
. .2nd Monday 8.00 p.ro
Halifax, N.S., At various homes. Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty,
Armdale 2nd Monday 3.15 p.m
Montreal, Que., Res., Mr. J. David Fraser, 350 MacKay St.. .1st Monday 4.00 p.m
Ottawa, Ont., At Y.W.C.A. Chairman, Com'd'r. Stephens,
99 Acacia Ave 2nd Friday .. .8. 00 p.m
Niagara Falls, Ont., Res., Mr. D. McLean, 5 Wes
i (Rev. I. S. Pritchard,
1st Wednesday.
London" Orit!, Res., Rev. F. A. Steven, C.I.M. Representative.
598 Princess Ave 4th Friday 3 30 p.m
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. George E. Pegg. . .... ; . v/ - i; -^- ■• 1st Tuesday.
Bolsover, Ont.,
,.„ U o homes. Sec, Miss A. M. McRae,
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont 1st Wednesday. . .3.30 p.n
Winnipeg, Man., Res.. Mrs. W. R. Mulock. 557 Wellington
Cres 1st Friday 3. 00 p.n
Calgary, Alberta. Res.. Mr. A. L. Forde. 1328 11th Ave. W. . 1st. Monday 8.00 p.n
Victoria. B.C.. Book and Bible Room, Fairfield Bldg.. Cor-
morant St. 1st Tuesday. Also occasional meetings
. .8.00 p
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO JULY, 1920
Fruit in the Year of Drought
The Short Report of the China Inland Mission presented at the Annual Meeting held in London, May I Ith, 1920
IN Palestine, west of the
Jordan, there are no
rivers, only a few-
perennial streams. In such
a country few things are
more dreaded than
drought. But in Palestine,
east of the Jordan, there
are at least four rivers fed
by numerous springs and
tributaries. Here vine-
yards and orch a r d s
abound, and drought has
largely lost its terrors.
Yet we are told, by one of the greatest authorities
on the Holy Land,* that Israel planted east of the
Jordan "had no part in the greatness of the nation,
and the kingdom and the church of God were built
by western Palestine.
By the watercourses of Reuben, east of Jordan,
were great resolves of heart — but they were all
barren. As for Zebulun and Napthali, west of Jor-
dan, they were a people that jeopardized their lives
unto the death ; their territory in later times
becoming glorious as Galilee of the Gentiles. Which
things are a parable as well as history. The fruit-
ful lives are seldom the children of luxury and ease,
but more often of stern and severe discipline.
Galilee's immense superiority in fruitfulness was
not because she enjoyed a greater rainfall — for
"during the dry season showers are almost as un-
known as in the rest of Palestine" — but because her
abode was near to the hills of God, which in secret
supplied her wells and springs. "The controlling
feature of Galilee is her relation to these great
mountains \t the foot of the hills there burst
forth all through the summer not only such springs
as we have in our own land, but large and copious
fountains from three to twenty feet in breadth and
one to three feet in depth — some with broad pools
full of fish and some sending forth streams strong
enough to work mills a few yards away. These
fountain heads, as they are called, are very charac-
teristic features of the Syrian summer; in the midst
of the dust and rust of the rest of the land they sur-
prise you with their wealth of water." Hence the
truth and beauty of the words, "I will be as the dew
unto Israel ; he shall blossom as the lily, and cast
forth his roots as Lebanon."
In reviewing the past year we feel, figuratively
speaking, that we have been dwelling west of the
Jordan, and not among the naturally well-watered
*GiorgsAd_im Smith's "Historical Geography
the Holy Lar
fields of the east. But though material circum-
stances and outward conditions have been adverse,
there have been God's streams in the desert. In a
very special sense the Mission has proved the truth
of the words, "All my springs are in Thee." The
year of natural drought and difficulty has therefore
not been barren, but the most fruitful in the Mis-
sion's history. The dry land has become a place of
springs, and the parched land a fruitful field.
THE FIELD
In common with all the nations, China has passed
through a year full of perplexity. She still retains
one and a half million men under arms, and half her
budget is for military purposes. Her politics have
continued in the same chaotic condition as before ;
the disastrous division between north and south
has not been healed, but the same selfish intrigues
have prevailed. Her own domestic Peace Confer-
ence at Shanghai unhappily proved as barren of
results as, from her point of view, did the Peace
Conference at Versailles. Chinese dissatisfaction
with the European Conference resulted in her refu-
sal to sign the Treaty of Peace, and has given rise to
an unprecedented mass movement among her stu-
dents, and an anti-Japanese boycott still vigorously
sustained.
Side by side with the rising spirit of resistance
against all foreign dictation, China has, nevertheless,
allowed herself to become increasingly dependent
upon foreign loans, mortgaging her own resources
as security. But probably the most disquieting
'symptom of all has been the widespread recrud-
escence of poppy cultivation, in many cases with
official approval and sometimes in consequence of
official commands. It is not too much to say that
China is in this matter jeopardizing all that she has
gained in one of the finest moral achievements in
the world's history.
Yet beneath the barren and disappointing surface
of things there are not wanting many hopeful signs
of life and future promise. In contrast with the
schemes of the militarists, and in spite of perils from
underpaid troops, the masses of the people are
manifesting considerable stability of purpose; while
the growth of public opinion in a national, as
opposed to a provincial sense, continues. Our great
hope and expectation is that He, who alone can
bless a nation, will pour out His Spirit upon China's
seed and His blessing upon their numerous offspring.
And, thank God, there are not wanting signs that
such an outpouring has begun. What a power for
good may not China's millions yet exert upon the
nations of the earth if they are blessed indeed!
CHINA-S MILLIONS
GOD S HUSBANDRY
More than fifty years ago the China Inland Mis-
sion, as a tender plant, was planted by God in China.
Miraculously sustained and blessed by Him, the
Mission, like a banyan tree, has spread and cast
forth its roots throughout the country, so that its
branches now reach from the China Sea on the east
to the borders of Tibet on the west, and from the
Mongolian plains on the north down to the Burmese
frontier on the south. The little one has become a
thousand. This is the Lord's doing — there is no
other explanation.
During the past year alone there have been added
forty-eight new workers to the staff on the field ;
of these twenty-seven are members of the Mission,
and twenty-one associates. Of the members, two
were from Great Britain, thirteen from North
America, eleven from Australasia, while one was
accepted in China. Of the associates, five were
from Norway, nine from Sweden, four from North
America, while three were either accepted or re-
admitted on the field.
During the war the number of workers in China
was seriously decreased by death, retirement, and
by the dearth of reinforcements. Now, through the
increase of the last two years, the total number of
missionaries connected with the Mission surpasses
by four the record of any previous year. The total
stands at 1,081, of which number 765 are members
and 316 associates. These workers are located at
243 central stations, with approximately 1,500 out-
stations. Before the war there were 227 stations
and 1,006 out-stations. For all the growth and
extension these new figures represent we give God
thanks. May every plant which the great Hus-
bandman has planted in China bring forth fruit
abundantly.
GATHERED HOME
During the year 1919, eight honored w r orkers, six
of whom were members of the Mission and two
associates, were removed from our ranks by death.
In addition, sixteen members retired from the work
on the grounds of health or family claims. Apart
from Mr. J. N. Hayward, whose Home-call was
recorded in last year's report, the names of those
who have been gathered Home from us are : Charles
H. Judd, Sen., George W. Clarke, Mrs. W. F. H.
Briscoe, Mrs. John Brock, Miss Isabel Cormack,
Sven Carlsson, and Mrs. P. Hole.
These eight workers together represent an
aggregate of two hundred years spent on behalf of
China and the Gospel. "We also mourn the loss by
death of Mr. Carl Polnick, the devoted Home
Director of the German-China Alliance associated
with the C.I.M., and of Mrs. J. W. Stevenson, the
aged widow of the late Deputy Director of the
Mission in China.
For all these, our beloved friends and fellow-
workers who, as trees of righteousness, have graced
and blessed the needy fields of China, we give God
thanks. Though transplanted to a fairer clime, we
pray that the seed of the Kingdom which they have
scattered far and wide may continue to bear fruit
unto eternal life.
god s SUPPLIES
For many years the financial needs of the Mission
have been greatly helped by the cheap price of silver.
A little gold has gone a long way. But the white
metal has become scarce and dear, and that silver
stream has shown serious signs of drought.
Whereas in 1915 £1 would purchase eight taels.
towards the close of 1919 the same sum would
barely buy three taels, and during the early months
of 1920, £1 was for a time only equal to two taels
and a small fraction.
.Such a situation has been a formidable challenge
to faith. If the Lord had not been on our side then
should we in very deed have been swallowed up by
these financial difficulties. It has, indeed, been a
year of drought in the silver market; but as the
silver supply has become more straitened, God has
had mercy on His work and workers, and made the
gold flow in more freely. God is not the God of the
silver only, but also of the gold; and although the
income in sterling has not increased in exact pro-
portion to the scarcity of silver, we do take courage
from the fact that the gold income has increased
substantially and that the work has not had to be
abandoned for lack of supplies.
In the light of these facts let us look at the income
as actually received in the various centres during
the year 1919.
Received in Great Britain $294,116.86
" U.S.A. and Canada 151.878.11
" Australasia 36.729.67
" China 73.2L3. 30
$555,937.98
Received in China for Associate Missions 155.719.89
Total $711,657.87
By comparison with the preceding year. 1918. it is
seen that there has been an increase in every coun-
try, the Associate Missions included, the figures
showing, thank God, an increase of $123,452.49 in
the funds of the English-speaking sections of the
Mission, and an increase of $26,827.28 in the funds
of the Associate Missions, making a total increase
of $150,279.78 in all.
What shall we render unto the Lord for all these
His benefits? Let us take the cup of salvation,
both for ourselves and for all who need it, and call
upon the name of the Lord.
If, at the beginning of the war, we had been told
that the work could not be continued another five
years without the Mission's income being practical-
ly doubled, we should have been almost tempted to
say, "If the Lord make windows in heaven might
this thing be." But God has dope it. In the light
of these facts we can only feel how sadly we do
limit the Holy One of Israel. God has been unto
us a God of deliverances, and His mercies call for
more faith on our part. We are so tempted to
tremble before every crisis, but He does not fail.
Should not our prayer be that we may know our
God and be strong and do exploits.
But lest we should be charged with conveying a
wrong impression, we would not refrain from
acknowledging that though the income in gold has
so wonderfully increased, the silver income realized
101
in China has not been equal to previous years. The
larger figures do not mean that the workers in the
field have received more than in the past times, even
to meet the increased cost of living. There has
been hardship and the need of rigid economy, but
the point we do desire to emphasize is that God has
kept the work alive in time of famine. Days of
drought and straitness are the lot of every soldier at
one time or another, but if the campaign goes for-
ward, if the positions are not merely held but
advance is made, the warrior feels he has his reward.
Or, to return to the figure of our title, if a tree lives
and bears abundant fruit, it has answered the end of
its existence. In nature, drought causes the tree or
plant to strike its roots down deeper, and the trials
of these years have, we trust, caused us to do the
same. We have found, as the facts recorded testify,
that God has His own hidden and unxpected
springs.
THE JOYS OF HARVEST
The harvest is the husbandman's reward. The
fruit also is the tree's justification, otherwise it only
cumbers the ground. As we turn from the figures
concerning finance to look upon the spiritual results
of the year's labor we can also do so with thanks-
giving. It is not without reason that we have
chosen as the title of this year's report, "Fruit in the
Year of Drought," for the year has been, thank God,
the most fruitful in the Mission's history. God has
increased our joy so that we rejoice before Him
with the joy of harvest.
It is good to look back sometimes and see how the
tide of blessing rises. Thirty years ago the
baptisms were less than five hundred per annum,
twenty years ago they were about twelve hundred,
ten years ago they had never exceeded three thou-
sand, whereas now, for the last two years, they
have been over six thousand per annum, the actual
figures for 1918 being 6,079, and for 1919 approxi-
mately 6,500, the highest on record.
To illustrate more fully how the work is being
blessed, a diagram will be found at the top of this
page showing the total number of persons baptized
from the commencement at different periods of the
Mission's history. From 5,000 in 1890, 13,000 in
1900, 36,000 in 1910, it has grown to 76,000 in 1919, a
goodly increase for which we give God praise. But
while we rejoice in these records, we look forward
in expectation of greater fruitfulness in years to
come. There are many signs that in China the
fields are white unto harvest. What more can we
desire for that land, as well as for our own. than
that men shall say, "This land that was desolate is
become like the garden of Eden."
SUMMER AND WINTER
Every year has its summer and winter. This has
been so in China. Trial has been experienced in
consequence of certain independent church move-
ments, and by greater audacity on the part of
brigands, several of our workers having, at different
times, fallen into their hands, though they have
mercifully suffered no more than temporary deten-
tion and, in some cases, the loss of goods. The
recrudescence of poppy cultivation has already been
mentioned. The need of more workers has been
acutely felt in many districts, and at least three
hospitals have been practically closed through lack
of a sufficient number of qualified men. How one
medical missionary, absent on furlough, feels this
the following words reveal :
"It makes me sick at heart whenever I think of it. The
little hospital where I have worked these years and where
we have seen so many tokens of our Father's blessing, is
closed now — medicine packed away, windows nailed up —
because there is no one to carry it on."
But though the laborers are few there have not
lacked seed time and harvest. Cheering news is
received from most centres. There are new and
hopeful developments among the tribes, the first
fruits from the Chong-kia having been gathered -in
at Anshunfu, while one worker in Yunnan speaks
of another district where 1,200 families among the
Nisu. another tribe, have destroyed their idols and
commenced the study of Christianity.
Strenuous evangelistic work has been carried on
throughout the whole field, sometimes with the use
of tents for special missions. Two illustrations of
this must suffice. From Lanchowfu a party of
seventeen Chinese, accompanied by Dr. King and
Mr. Mann, set out for a preaching tour. The party
divided into three bands, one band following the
main road, the other two visiting the by-paths on
either side.
"It was arduous work," wrote Mr. Mann, "for those who
took the side paths, as often deep ravines had to be
crossed. One day we climbed eight times to get to seven
villages, and a few barley sugar drops were all we had
to eat. We visited and preached in 127 villages, sold
nearly 400 Gospels, and gave away several thousand
tracts."
In the Chengku district, in the neighboring pro-
vince, all the male workers of the church gave one
month to an evangelistic campaign, and during the
year 196 villages and hamlets were systematically
evangelized, over 6,000 homes being personally
visited.
CHINAS MILLIONS
In many cases the good will of the officials has
been generously manifested. In Lanchuwfu the
governor and other officials of the province con-
tributed over two thousand taels towards the
proposed middle school, the goyernor sending his
own son for a time to the Mission's higher element-
ary school. In Kaifeng the governor's wife on two
occasions gave generous gifts to the women's hos-
pital, while in other centres tokens of sympathy and
appreciation from the people and the gentry have
been received. There are many tens of thousands
of inquirers in the various stations of the Mission,
and many remarkable openings exist for special
missions both to men and women. Practical steps
are also being taken by the Chinese church in the
matter of self-support, and the use of the simplified
script gives promise of much blessing to the church.
In Shansi, the Hwochow church aspires by the
means of this new script to be the first church in
the province without an illiterate member. By last
autumn as many as one hundred men and women
had, at that station, received certificates of pro-
ficiency in this simplified system. The great
problem confronting the workers in every part of
the field is not the want of open doors, but rather
how to be equal to the opportunity.
From what has been written it will be abundantly
evident that the work is progressing rapidly despite
all difficulty. It is so easy to fear that because the
times are out of joint the work of God will be
delayed. It is well, therefore, that we should
remind ourselves that God reigns and makes even
the stormy winds fulfil His will. Joseph in the land
of his affliction became a fruitful bough with
branches running over the wall. The fruitfulnes-
of trial has been observed by the scientist as well as
by the Christian philosopher. Hardships which have
pressed upon the individual plant and animal, even
so as to threaten its vitality, have been found to
render the species more fruitful. One illustration
of this must suffice :
"In the common scurvy-grass, too — remarkable, with
some other plants, for taking its place among both the
productions of our Alpine heights and of our seashores —
it will be found that, in proportion as its habitat prove?
ungenial, and its leaves and stems become dwarfish and
thin, its white cruciform flowers increase, till, in localities
where it barely exists, as if on the edge of extinction, we
find the entire plant forming a dense bundle of seed ves-
sels, each charged to the full with seed."
And so God's people have no need to fear, though,
human nature will naturally shrink from trial. As
with Israel in Egypt, so has it ever been with the
church of Christ, the more they were afflicted the
more they multiplied. It was for this reason that
the Apostle Paul took pleasure in necessities. While
we do not minimize the hardships and trials of the
past year, we rejoice that they have not been suffer-
ed in vain. One of the most difficult periods of the
Mission's history has been its most fruitful. For
the future, therefore, we covet the fellowship and
prayers of God's people that we may not fear when
heat cometh, nor be filled with anxiety in the year
of drought. Rather may it be our ambition that
we may not cease from yielding fruit.
The Pre-eminent Christ
A Report, by Miss H. HOMER-DIXON, of our 1920 Conference
THE SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE of the
China Inland Mission in North America, held
at Niagara-on-the-Lake, from June 29th to
July 4th, may well be characterized by the words of
our heading, which were its most frequently repeat-
ed theme — Christ pre-eminent, above all, through
all, and in you all.
The number who attended the conference was
larger than for some years and the historic pavilion
had its seating accommodation taxed to provide for
the many newcomers, whom we welcomed to our
midst. It was especially delightful to notice more
candidates than usual, with their young lives con-
secrated to serve Christ in the darkness of China.
The evening meetings dealt with that great land,
where one-fourth of the whole world's population
dwell in slavery to the Satanic hosts, with so few to
tell them of the Deliverer. The missionaries home
on furlough told of their work and many interesting
experiences, and "rehearsed in the ears of the
people the wonderful works of God." Especial
mention was made of Chefoo with its excellent
schools for the children of the missionaries.
The first afternoon the Rev. F. A. Steven reviewed
the conditions in China with the comforting ex-
hortation to "Fear not," no matter how gloomy the
world prospects may be. God has shown Himself
wonderfully gracious to the China Inland Mission
in preserving those in connection with it from the
dangers and disasters arising from civil war and
brigandage. The glowing faces above the little red
button of the China Inland Mission (which the
missionaries were privileged to wear ) were silent
testimonies to the protecting goodness of the Lord,
in bringing them through many a valley of the
shadow of death to the still waters and green pas-
tures — both literal and spiritual.
Apart from the meetings, the hours of precious
fellowship and rest in Christ, when God's people
from east and west met on the verandas of the
Queen's Royal Hotel will not soon be forgotten.
The Niagara Conference may well be called one of
JULY, 1920
God's "friendship factories." Even the weather
seemed laid under tribute, for Niagara was spared
the devastating storm that swept the surrounding
district on Saturday, July 3rd. inflicting many thou-
sands of dollars worth of damage to the crops,
while — unconscious of danger — all were gathered
in the pavilion, safe and quiet, as the familiar music
of the Twenty-third Psalm arose in peaceful con-
quest of our hearts.
Gathered by the hand of the Lord, His people met
under the shadow of old Niagara's stately trees, by
the blue waters of another Galilee, to worship the
risen Christ and have a meeting with Him, and they
were not disappointed. From beginning to end the
days were fragrant with His presence, and to many
hearts His nearness was very wonderful. Every
speaker had caught the vision of the glory of the
Lord, and passed on from Him messages of grace
and power. With one accord all united to exalt
Christ, in past, present and future. It would be
difficult to describe how wonderfully the Holy
Spirit interwove the pre-eminence of Christ into
every address — for it was manifestly He who chose
the subjects and the speakers; and all hearts were
bowed before the Savior, whose ineffable glory we
realized anew.
The Epistle to the Colossians yielded fresh riches
as Dr. McTavish unfolded it before us, showing the
fully developed Christian life, with the Lord Jesus
Christ pre-eminent in every department, whether
doctrinal or spiritual ; the same message had been
laid by God upon the heart of the Rev. Andrew
Imrie, and speaking from Colossians •1:15-1 (| . In-
swept all hearts with him back into the great empty
ages before the world was. that we might behold
Christ pre-eminent in the love of the Father, in I lis
pre-incarnate glory. And as magnificent peals of
thunder rolled forth their majestic echo of his
words, he powerfully depicted the mighty Son of
God holding the lightning in His hand, walking
upon the thunder clouds, and upholding the universe
by the word of His power — the Christ pre-eminent
in all creation !
With the calm but tremendous power that is
characteristic of him, Dr. Torrey stirred the depths
with the vision of Christ as the Pre-eminent Lover
of souls, and His infinite compassion that brought
Him from His pre-eminence in glory down to pre-
eminence in suffering and death, yea. the death of
the cross. There were few dry eyes when, with
breaking voice. God's honored servant confessed his
own cold indifference to the lost ones around as
compared with the unsearchable love of Christ tor
the most repulsive sinner.. It was holy ground, for
the very heart of God was laid bare to show His
passion for souls, and the hush that followed his
words told of the heart-searchings among his listen-
ers, as we realized how terribly short we had fallen
from the standard of Christ.
In his second address Dr. Torrey gave the Hebrew
of Isaiah 9 :(>. where Christ is called "the Wonder,"
rather than "Wonderful" as it is translated in the
authorized version, and again .the thought took
possession of us — what an infinite Wonder is the
real Christ, the Wonder of all eternity and all
existence, the Pre-eminent Wonder of wonders ! Is
He not the Marvel of all marvels, in
humanity. His death and resurrection
souls? "And when He comes back, }
be occupied forever with this Wonder of wonders:
and not only ourselves, but the great multitude of
the redeemed will be there, and the angels shall fall
down and worship Him that liveth forever and ever
— the supreme Wonder of eternity!"
The same thought of worship and adoring con-
templation and praise breathed through the ex-
quisite message of the Rev. H. W. Frost, the Home
Director of the China Inland Mission, and in the
Spirit, with the beloved apostle of Patmos, we were
translated into the heavenlies, there to worship our
glorified Savior upon the throne. Later on. Mr.
Frost gave a most helpful outline of the Book of
Revelation, with the glorious consummation of
(iod's purposes of the ages, as revealed in "the last
bulletin from heaven."
With his usual grip of dispensational truths and
prophetic glories, Dr. Farr, of Los Angeles — another
beloved member of the Council, who like Dr. Torrey
had come from far to be with us — opened up many
new and strengthening thoughts from the first
chapters of Acts. He dealt with the ascension and
return of Christ, the period of Gospel testimony to
the Jews as ended by the martyrdom of Stephen,
and the millenial blessings of the great "cosmical
Pentecost." when the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy
will be universal.
Principal McNicol was led to dwell upon that
fascinating but little understood Book of Job. and
turning the light of the New Testament "upon it,
with a master hand he revealed the meaning of the
mystery of suffering in the life of God's child.
Taking the seven cries of anguish wrung from the
heart of Job, he showed the depths of God's mighty
love and wisdom answering the depths of human
need and finally satisfying them with the revelation
of Himself. At the beginning God had dealt with
Job's sin by the sacrifice that stood for Calvary;
but there was still his self to be dealt with, and that
could only be done by suffering. There was another
reason for the fearful tests through which Job
passed, namely, the vindication of God Himself, in
reply to the Devil's taunt that "it pays to be pious."
For the sake of His own honor, and for the honor
of Job it was necessary that Job should pass
104
CHINAS MILLIONS
through such an experience that none could ever
say — on earth, or among the vast hosts of angelic
beings — that God bribed his servants to be faithful
to Him. It was a profound message, that will
linger long in those hearts where deep calleth unto
Deep.
The unsearchable riches of Christ provided the
theme of a later address by Principal McNicol; and
the glories and possibilities of the victorious Chris-
tian life, with the quiet confidence of the Christian
when Christ is in full possession, were spread be-
fore us by Mr. Imrie and Dr. Parry.
And so, with tender words of warning for a final
message from Mr. Frost, the Conference closed on
Sunday evening, leaving us all with warmer hearts,
richer knowledge, more complete consecration and
deeper devotion than ever before to our Lord and
Savior, the coming and ever Pre-eminent Christ.
How Captured Workers were Delivered from Robbers
By Mr. CARL G. GOWMAN, Taku, Yunnan
A LARGE portion of the central section of Yunnan
province has been terrorized by a large band of rob-
bers headed by an ex-colonel of the Chinese army
named Yang Tien-fuh. His daring reached a climax
when on January 3rd he kidnapped, three days from
Yunnanfu, Dr. A. L. Shelton, a missionary working on the
Tibetan border in Szechwan. At first he demanded
$50,000 as a ransom, but later he revealed his true purpose
of holding Dr. Shelton as a lever to be used in his
negotiations with Governor Tang for a pardon and return
to office of himself and lieutenants. Negotiations for his
release repeatedly broke down, and Dr. Shelton suffered
indescribably as he was led night and day over the
mountains with the robber band.
On March 4th, at six o'clock in the morning we were
startled, at Taku, by wild cries in the village that robbers
were coming. Soon our compound was filled with a
band of them; before I was dressed I looked down to the
school compound and could see them binding Teacher
Yen. They called for me to come down, and their first
greeting was, "We have been sent by the French Consul
to protect you," and then almost in the same breath,
"Have you a watch?" In another second my ' ,: Radiolite"
was snatched away, and we were fully introduced to our
guests.
In about two minutes they swarmed all through the
house, and the looting began. Nothing that met their
fancy was spared, and for over an hour they continued.
Everything in the nature of clothing, bedding, quilts,
tablecloths, table covers, disappeared into their bundles;
clocks, watches, knives, forks, spoons, all went the same
way. Great was their glee when they discovered our
silver. Some of them had a taste for foreign jams, and
seven or eight tins of that disappeared in short order, as
also over forty tins of condensed milk. Everything in
the way of baking powder, cornstarch, tapioca, arrow-
root, etc., was dumped together in a pile in the middle
of the floor. The balance of the canned goods were
rendered useless by -their punching holes in the top of
each can. I could fill pages with harrowing details.
After about forty-five minutes, Mrs. Gowman 'Came
running to me with the news that they were binding Mr.
Metcalf. In a few minutes my turn came. We were
bound so tightly that our hands were soon blue. They
even made preparations to tie Mr. Metoalf up to a beam
to torture him and compel him to reveal the hiding place
of the guns which they insisted we had hidden on the
place. A few minutes after this, they divulged their
intention of taking us along with them. Mr. Metcalf,
brave fellow, offered to go in my place if they required
only one of us. But they insisted upon both of us, as
well as Teacher Yen and Mr. Ho's son and Colporteur
Ma from Yunnanfu.
When after an hour and a half the band left the village,
every one of the forty-two robbers as well as ten extra
men they compelled to go with them, were loaded with
plunder from our compound. The number of robbers
was accurately ascertained by numerous sorrowing
Christians hidden among the trees on the hillside. As
we made our way up the hill, we were sad, not so much
for ourselves and the wreck of our little home we were
leaving, as for the poor Lisu sheep whom we were leaving
behind, and we prayed that He. the Great Shepherd of the
sheep, would tenderly care for them now that we, the
undershepherds were smitten and taken from them in a
body.
Photograph by Mr. Q G. Cowm
We had breakfast about 9.30 on a bleak spur of the moun-
tain. While waiting for the meal I had prayer with our
little band, and the Lord was very near and real and our
hearts went out to Him for deliverance. We traveled off
and on during the day, the robbers assuring us that we
would meet Dr. Shelton and their "big boss," Yang Tien-
fuh, that night. About half-past five in the afternoon we
stopped at a little hamlet of a couple of homes beside a
small stream between two great mountains. Looking
down the valley I could see villages we knew, and
Christian Miao villages in the distance. We prisoners
were herded together in a loft, and after about half an
hour or so, when darkness came on, all went to sleep on
rough piles of straw, exhausted by the events of the day
and hungry for the evening meal which they were only
beginning to prepare.
And what of the little flock at Taku? That evening at
dusk, Evangelist Yang beat the gong for service. Mrs.
Gowman was busy writing letters here and there con-
cerning the robbery. At service, after a hymn, no attempt
at preaching was made, all knelt down on the mud floor
(many of them lay on their faces before God) and Deacon
Ch'i began to pray. He had said no more than two
sentences before he began to sob. and soon the whole
meeting was doing likewise. Sobbing and praying —
weeping and praying — they poured out their hearts to
God in prayer for the release of their teachers. Never
was such a prayer meeting at Taku.
That evening, after service, they were sitting around
discussing matters, and one "doubting Thomas" said, "But
really there is no chance of their getting away; the
robbers will guard them night and day."
But Yang instantly spoke up. "But when Peter was in
prison (Acts 12) there were men carefully guarding him
and the Lord found a way of escape, and I am sure that
He is able and will do so for our pastors now."
After a few minutes, another doubter remarked. "But
even if they do get away, the wolves and other wild
animals are so bad this year that there is grave danger of
their being devoured on the mountains, with no one ever
to know their end."
But Yang promptly replied. "But God was able to save
105
Dai
s able
right
the midst of the lion's den,
: past
the
olvi
1 He
Thank God for such simple faith amd for simple, pre-
vailing prayer!
Almost at that very hour, at Tsaoehiatsuen, where we
were, a robber came in holding Air. Metcalf's musical
clock, and waking us up, asked to have it wound. This
done he went out. I found my sun helmet and remarked
to Air. Metcalf that I thought I would go down below
and take a look around, having no idea at the time of
making an attempt to escape. As I sauntered out of the
door, past the two guards lying by the fire, I thought they
seemed strangely still. Passing around to the front of
the house, I gazed intently at them from around the
corner, but there was no stir on their part. (In fact, they
were so sound asleep that one of them burned his coat
tail in the fire without discovering it until his jeering
companions pointed it out the next day.)
Soon an unarmed robber from an outpost guarding the
road about twenty yards away passed by me in the
semi-darkness without recognizing or even accosting me.
Filled with amazement at this wonderful opportunity to
escape, I still pondered — but if I was to make a break for
liberty and possibly spend the night on the mountains I
ought to have a walking stick with me. Just at that
moment my foot struck on something, and stooping down
I picked up a fine bamboo rod about four feet in length.
I took this as a sign of guidance from the Lord, and in
another minute I slid down a ten-foot embankment below
me and soon was hurrying away. About a quarter of a
mile down the stream I almost ran into an outpost of
robbers who were sitting by a fire above the road. I made
a wide detour and passed unnoticed.
I must have been gone at least half an hour before my
absence was discovered. Then tollowed the pursuit, and
I realized what the runaway slaves in Uncle Tom's Cabin
must have felt like. At one time, they passed about
thirty years below me on the riverside path, and I hid in
a crack in' the hillside. They passed on and I climbed
the hill. It would take pages to tell all the experiences
of that awful night and its many narrow escapes. At one
place I went down an almost perpendicular slope tearing
my way through the bamboo thickets, and at other times
just letting myself go as I slipped down the mountain.
When almost to the bottom I heard the sound of the
chase at the top of the hill, but it didn't seem to them
possible that I could have gone down such a steep place,
and they turned back in another direction.
I made my way to the east as I supposed, but at daylight
received the biggest surprise of my life when I discovered
that I had been going in a westerly direction and that I
was in plain sight of the great Yuanmow plain. The
Lord had guided my footsteps in that wild night's flight
to the safest possible place. In a few hours I was down
on the plain, and at ten o'clock in the morning walked
into the magistrate's yamen, having been on the road
fourteen and a half "hours. I think the Lord literally
fulfilled Isaiah 40:31 in my physical body that night.
I shall never forget the first meal I had there — 'for you
will have noticed that I did not stop for supper at
Tsaoehiatsuen. The magistrate proved to be extremely
friendly, he having a cousin who is a Christian teacher
in our China Inland Alission schools in Talifu, and who
was formerly Airs. Cowman's teacher. The news of the
attack upon Taku had been received from messengers
sent by Mrs. Gowman. They got to the top of the hill
before the robbers did and even saw us from a distance,
at our breakfast. Running into an outpost of the robbers
on their way back Friday morning they nearly lost their
lives, for they were bearing letters from the magistrate
to Mrs. Gowman and to the local officials in the vicinity.
The letters were carried by one man who kept in the rear
of the other two. When this man saw his companions
captured he hurriedly buried the letters beside the road,
and thus when the robbers searched him nothing was to
be found. They kept the three men bound for over two
hours threatening to kill 'them if they were bearing
letters reporting the robbery at Taku. Finally getting
no information the robbers let them go, and the men
upon arrival at Taku gave the message verbally to Airs.
Gowman. I saw these three men Friday morning from
the opposite side of the hill and thought at first that they
were robbers searching for me.
"There was no small stir" among the robbers after my
escape was discovered, when they came to call the pris-
oners to the evening meal, and for a while they threatened
all sorts of things to Mr. Metcalf and others. But their
wrath wore off a bit after several hours of tramping the
mountains searching for me. Later, however, they took
their spite out on one of our Taku Christians, Li Kuang-e,
whom they tied up to a beam and beat unmercifully,
threatening to kill him in the morning if he were unable
to produce me. When they left him, he crawled under a
big pile of rice straw and hid himself. In the morning
they started a search for him and one of them stood
right on his back as he lay at the bottom of the pile of
straw. He never uttered a sound, and soon after the
robbers left, he came out of his hiding place and made his
way back to Taku.
On Friday, after telephone communication with
Yunnanfu, it was decided best to send for Mrs. Gowman
and Doris to come immediately under escort to Yuanmow
to join me. The officials would not hear of my going
back for fear I should fall into the robbers' hands again.
About noon a messenger was sent to Taku with the news
of my escape. This arrived just before the evening ser-
vice began, and the Christians rejoiced over the answer
to prayer God had given them. About midnight Teacher
Yen and young Ho were heard coming down the hill at
Taku, singing hymns of praise in order that the villagers
would not take 'alarm and think more robbers were
coming.
Mr. Aletcalf, on Friday, had been taken on to a place
called Matih, about ten miles from Yuanmow, on the hills,
where he met the noted outlaw, Yang Tien-fuh. Mr.
Aletcalf wrote a letter in English to Taku, presenting the
conditions under which Yang was willing to negotiate
with the Governor, and Yen and Ho were set free to act
as letter-carriers. The robber chief also did the added
courtesy of allowing them to ride back with the horses
belonging to Air. Aletcalf and me, leaving only Mrs.
Gowman's pony with the robbers. Great was the relief
when these two returned, and continued prayer was made
that speedily the two remaining captives, Mr. Metcalf
and Air. Ala, should be released.
Saturday was an anxious day for me at Yuanmow, as
we feared the robbers might take revenge for my escape
by returning to Taku. Airs. Gowman, on her trip into
Yuanmow. had pointed out to her the house where Air.
Aletcalf and the robbers had stayed the night before.
It later developed that the robbers had left the place
only about three hours before Mrs. Gowman and her
party came along the road. Great was my relief when,
just after dark, as I anxiously waited outside the city, the
party arrived headed by about forty soldiers. We had
been parted two days and a half, but it seemed weeks, we
had passed through so many exciting events in the mean-
time.
But we were not to rest in peace for long. About nine
o'clock that evening, a policeman came running into the
magistrate's yamen with the alarming news that the
robber band had overpowered a small outpost of ten men
at Alateoshan, ten miles distant on the edge of the plain,
and that there was every prospect that they would make
an attempt to enter the city. Everyone looked at me
knowingly, realizing that the robbers were douhtless
trying to make an attempt to recover their captive who
had escaped two nights before. Tremendous excitement
reigned in the yamen and city for a while. Within half
an hour the hundred Cantonese soldiers stationed
there, the hundred-odd militia and thirty policemen
were rushed out in fan-shaped formation to meet the rob-
bers. The latter after leaving Alateoshan, turned south
and robbed the old city where the yamen was forty years
ago, setting fire to several large buildings. The sky was
lit up for hours. The robbers, leaving there, stopped at
a Lisu village about half-past two Sunday morning.
To return to ourselves back in the city. Desiring to
prepare for any eventuality, we had borrowed two suits
of Chinese clothes, and planned, if the robbers overcame
the soldiers, to try to escape in these disguises. We had
also planned on slipping out of the city under a small
escort and making for the Yangtse river, a day's journey
away, where once across with the boats on the farther
side, we could laugh at robbers. But, thank God! it was
not necessary to fall back to these "prepared trenches,"
106
and all being quiet, about cockcrow, 1 lay down and got
a little sleep.
In the meantime, the soldiers, scattered out across the
plain, engaged the robbers about nine on Sunday morning.
just as they were leaving the village mentioned. An
hour or two previously Mr. Metcalf and Mr. Ma had made
an unsuccessful attempt to escape, rising at daybreak
and getting almost a hundred yards away when they met
robbers who compelled them to come back. When the
soldiers came up and opened the attack, Mr. Ma in the
ensuing confusion made a better attempt at escape. He
slipped away unnoticed and stumbled into a small pit be-
tween the opposing forces — '"No man's land," if you
please! — and there he lay, with the bullets flying back and
forth over his head within reaching distance. When the
robbers retired up the hill, he eventually came out of his
hiding place and wandered to a nearby village, where he
was promptly arrested as a suspicious character. They
sent down to Yuanmow about him and upon my confirm-
ing his story he was released and joined us Monday at
Yuanmow. This left only Mr. Metcalf in the hands of the
robbers. During the engagement., he had been forced to
ride his horse and go on ahead under close guard, so
there was no opportunity to escape.
Tuesday morning, I sent Air. Yen and several of the
others who had come to us from Taku back to the station
to look after the place, and I remarked to my wife, "Well,
I guess we can get a bit of rest and quietness to-day at
last." We did — for about two hours. And then — Oh ! the
most wonderful of surprises — most amazing of events !
In walked Dr. Shelton !
I was conversing with the Yuanmow magistrate in our
room when Evangelist Yang and Pih, accompanied by five
or six others from Taku, came in with a large, full-
bearded man, with a cowboy hat. At first thought, I
wondered if it could be the French priest whom the
robbers had boasted of having captured, but Yang soon
exclaimed that it was really Dr. Selton, released at last
from his sixty-six days of captivity. With the united
help of all, for he could not possibly stand alone, we got
him to our bed, and soon he was lying there comfortably.
One of the first things he said was, "Well, this is the first
word of English I have heard for sixty-six days." As
soon as we could get the main outlines of the story of
his release, the magistrate and I rushed down the street to
the long-distance telephone, and in a few miinutes,
Wuting, Yunnanfu, and soon the whole world knew that
Dr. Shelton's captivity was at an end.
And how did it all came about? A few days before the
robbers came to Taku, Dr. Shelton, then in the adjoining
district of Mo Lien, grew so exhausted that he was un-
able to ride his mule any longer, so the robbers rigged
up a mountain chair for him, carried by four men.
Alarmed by the approach of soldiers, the robbers had run
for thirty-seven hours on end, until when they arrived
at Tanao, a Laka village a dozen miles from Taku, he
was so exhausted that he was nearly dead. He declared
that he would have died if they had carried him for
another day. Apparently the robbers also thought the
same and decided to send to Taku, sq near at hand, for
Mr. Metcalf and myself to act as substitutes for Dr.
Shelton.
So about 2.30 in the morning, March 4th, they left Tanao
dividing into several bands, one of which came to Taku —
as above related — leaving Dr. Shelton in the loft of a
barn. The loft was filled with rice straw, but they made
a tunnel-like hole through to the hack of the loft, just
large enough for a man to crawl through, and then inside
they made a larger space, taking out a mud brick to
serve as a window. There he lay, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and Monday until evening, guarded by
one of the robbers. That rest of five days saved his life.
Monday morning, the guard, seeing that he was reviving
and might be able to bear traveling again, left to report
to the robber chief.
Monday about dusk, a special representative send by
the Wuting official to investigate the robbery at Taku.
arrived at the village in a mountain chair, unescorted by
a single soldier. The report got around that the soldiers
were coming, and the villagers fled, leaving only a few old
people in the village. The old man in whose house Dr.
Shelton was lying, frozen with fear by the arrival of this
representative of the law, came and reported Dr. Shel-
ton's presence to him.
CHINAS MILLIONS
Dr. Shelton was able to walk, with assistance, to the
next village— a village of unbelieving Lisu, by the way.
Here the special representative stayed for the night after
turning Dr. Shelton over to the Lisu. Eight of these men.
some supporting his arms, some pushing from behind.
others pulling on hemp ropes fastened around his waist,
succeeded in getting him up the mountain to Miliku. a
village of Christian Lisu. Here the whole village turned
out to help and escorted him to Hehku. where another
relay of men brought him to Taku. The Taku people
thinking the robbers were coming again, all fled to the
woods, but some returned ere long, when they discovered
who their midnight visitor was. Not daring to stop long
for fear the robbers would return to get him, he slept
only an hour and a half, and then started again for
Yuanmow. Our people had found two small ponies (the
robbers had taken all the horses and mules) and these he
rode alternately, starting on the journey at half-past four
in the morning. Our men took turns, one on a side, hold-
ing him on his pony, and by noon they arrived at Yuan-
mow — and safety at last.
The next morning at eight o'clock all of us were leav-
ing Yuanmow, under heavy guard, on our way to Yunnan-
fu. From that time until we entered Yunnanfu. five
days later, we were never without a hundred to two
hundred soldiers as a guard.
On the road, we received the joyful news, brought by
a special messenger, that Mr. Metcalf had made his
escape Monday night at dark — the very hour of Dr.
Shelton's relief. He had just finished his supper at an
adjoining house and was returning before the others to
his sleeping quarters, escorted by one of the robbers
delegated to keep guard over him. The guard went on
ahead into the house, but Mr. Metcalf. taking a daring
chance, bolted out of the door into the darkness. He ran
down a convenient gulley. sided by high banks, thus
cutting off the view from the pursuers, who started the
JULY ,1920
107
down to a small but deep river, he crossed on a small tree
bridge and ran up the hill on the opposite side.
The pursuers' approach caused him to take refuge in a
group of three small trees on a very steep part of the
bank, and from there he could see them, armed with over
twenty torches, searching for him. Owing to the steep-
ness of the bank where he was hiding, none of the torch-
bearers got near enough to find his hiding place, and ere
long they started searching in another direction. After
the searchers had departed Mr. Metcalf thought he heard
a slight rustling of leaves below him, and didn't move
for fear one of the robbers had remained behind. His
fears proved true. Une of them apparently had heard
Mr. Metcalf rustling the leaves and was waiting for him
to reveal his whereabouts. After a long wait the man
moved up to the right for a time; later he was heard
above, and then to the left. Again he was heard down
below, and for hours he and Mr. Metcalf played the "cat
and mouse" game.
Finally, about midnight, the moon came up and shone
on the village where the robbers were, and they began
making preparations for going. In an hour or so bugles
were blown and the whole band started off, when "Mr.
Cat" rushed out of his hiding place and joined his com-
panions. They had not been gone many minutes when
the moon coming over the hill shone directly on the spot
where Mr. Metcalf had been hiding. If the robbers had
delayed a few minutes longer, his hiding place would have
been clearly revealed. And still, some say that the day
of miracles is over ! Thank God for His delivering power
— not only in ancient times, the times of the prophets
and apostles, but to-day.
All of us are for the present unable to return to our
work, and this condition is likely to continue until Yang
Tien-fuh has been effectually dealt with. So it is a time
when we are in urgent need of prayer that the Lord
may soon grant a condition of peace in this province, that
the work in the country stations among the tribespeople
may not be hindered. The whole future of the tribes
work is at stake. Until this matter is properly settled,
country residence will be impossible.
Pray much for the Lisu Christians, that they may be
kept during this time of trial and testing — that the Lord
will overrule the whole thing for His glory and the purify-
ing of His church and the future propagation of the
Gospel.
We have appointed Teacher Yen, Evangelist Yang and
the three Taku deacons to have charge of the work during
our absence, and they need your special prayer." We are
trying to go ahead with three of the schools; the balance
will have to await our return. Perhaps the Lord is
allowing these thing- to teach us that the work is His, and
to teach the native Christians to rely more upon God and
less on their pastors. We are sure that Romans 8:28 will
be true in the case of us and the work. What we need
is patience to await the Lord's time for demonstrating
that all things have worked together for good.
Evangelistic Meetings in Kiangsu
By Miss JESSIE D. HALL
(Am-ricin Presbyterian Mission, South) Tsingkiangpu, Kiangsu
MISS MARGARET KING arrived on Tuesday.
April 20th, and the meetings began the next
day; yet for ten days before that, the Chris-
tians had come together' in groups at convenient
centres for daily prayer. The city and nearby
villages where we had chapels had been pretty well
canvassed with invitations, so the first day there
were far more than the chapel would hold.
We had asked the women "pointedly," not to
bring children, in fact this request was printed on
the invitations, but of course they brought them
anyway. There were so many the first day that the
adjoining Sunday School room was soon full to over-
flowing with them. We carried benches from the
girls' school and seated the people as closely as
possible. The girls of our school were verj anxious
to attend the meetings but every day, except one.
most of them had to conn- out of the chapel proper
to allow "outsiders" to get in.
The Christians went out at the close of the after-
noon meetings to give out tickets for tin- next day.
The school -iris were so eager to help in this, we
decided to let lessons rest a lew days, Of course
they could not go out by themselves, but there were
women glad to take them in groups and they work-
ed till dark every day r . This was Miss King's
suggestion and we were well repaid, reaching people
with whom we had never got into touch before.
The time set for the afternoon meeting was half-
past three, but there were people there every day by
two. The bible-women did good work talking to
those who came early. It was a sight to rejoice
one's eyes to see groups all over the chapel being
earnestly talked to by women and the older school
girls; and I have never seen women listen as they
did at the general meetings.
Every day r , at the close, Miss King asked all who
really believed in Jesus and wanted Him to save
them, to stand. The first day, as soon as anything
was said about it, they all wanted to stand ; but she-
asked all to be seated again while she made it more
plain what the\ r were to stand for. Then to "make
assurance doubly sure" she asked those who stood
up to come up to the platform and give their names
and addresses.
As soon as the meeting was dismissed every day.
there was an invitation given to all who cared to
hear more or to ask questions to remain, and it
seemed to me that the "big half" stayed. Again
all available Christians talked to them and Miss
King worked till nearly dark every day. Very
often, too, there were those who came to her room
to talk with her before the meeting, so it is a marvel
her physical strength held out.
Sunday, the last day, every corner of the city had
been reached with .invitations. I am sure there
were between five and six hundred, counting chil-
dren and all. The chapel will only seat about four
hundred. Among those who came after there was
absolutely no room to squeeze in, were several
ladies whom we had often invited to church but who
never came. We felt badly to have to put them in
with the children but there was nothing else to be
done. However they did not seem to take umbrage,
and stayed to the after meeting.
We had planned to have, that day, a special meet-
ing after the regular meeting, for all those who had
stood up and said they wanted to be saved. With
those of the last day there were in all fifty-eight.
But we could not dismiss the meeting. The people
would not go ! We talked to them in groups a
while, then told them there would be another meet-
ing on Tuesday (our regular weekly evangelistic
meeting) and asked them to go. Seeing them still
loath to leave, Miss King finally told them we were
going to have a meeting with those who had stood
up, so there could be no more talking, but if any-
body cared to stay she might sit still and listen.
At that all who were left moved nearer the front.
Some who had got as far as the door, hearing that
108
CHINA-S MILLIONS
they might stay, came back with the remark, "We
can hear some more. Of course we can be quiet."
It was pathetic, the way they did not want the meet-
ing to come to a close.
It was six o'clock when we left the chapel that
evening, and at half-past six Miss King met with
the bible-women and girls' school to give us some
help as to how to teach the women who had just
made a start in their Christian lives. It was a long
hard day for her, but what joy to look back and
think of all those women started on the right road
and to realize that hers was the hand of Evangelist
who had pointed them to the wicket gate !
By Mr. R. A. McCULLOCH, Antong, Kiangsu
We are glad to have passed out of the winter
(which was a long one) and to have reached the
spring (which has been slow in coming). After
our provincial conference at Yangchow we had Mr.
Mathews of our Mission for ten days' Bible classes
and he was greatly appreciated. Then the Misses
King and Lajus came from Yangchow, Miss King
for evangelistic meetings among the women and
Miss Lajus to teach the script. Both these ladies
seemed to think, on leaving, that it was well worth
coming and we think so too. About fifty women
stood up in Miss King's meetings and said they
would follow the Lord Jesus. Miss Lajus had
classes each day numbering from thirty to forty.
Some of these have got a good hold of the script
and can read it.
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders came a few days later
than the ladies and Mr. Saunders held meetings
from Thursday till Sunday, three meetings a day.
At the close of each evening meeting Mr. Saunders
asked those who were willing to confess Christ and
had not yet done so, to stand up. In all fifteen men
and eight women did so. It was helpful and inter-
esting to watch the struggle evidently going on in
the hearts of some and then to see them stand up
saying clearly and definitely, "I believe in the Lord
Jesus." Nearly all the men who thus stood up are
inquirers who have been coming for some time but
had not yet taken this definite stand.
Everything seems very quiet since these meet-
ings as the country folk are very busy sowing their
beans. One Saturday afternoon we had baptisms —
five men and five women. These were examined
last year. We hope to receive twenty or thirty
more in the autumn.
One of the men baptized is the direct result of last
year's special evangelistic effort. He did not hear
the preaching, but his little son was given some of
the tracts and took them to his father, who was con-
vinced of the truth. He has been a great gambler
and there is always danger that he will fall into
gambling again unless very watchful. He has the
making of a leader if he goes on steadily. Will you
remember him in prayer? His name is Wang Kin-
kang. He is giving a room for Sunday services.
This is a school room through the week.
We have been much grieved by the failure of one
of our Christians who has yielded to pressure from
relatives and has given his son who died recently,
an absolutely heathen burial with all the false
things connected therewith. Then, we have just
heard of a woman who has turned from being a
member to become a medium for evil spirits. Truly
we see the power of evil working in our midst, as
well as the power of God.
There has been a great deal of sickness through-
out the district for the last five months. Our
evangelist, Chu, lost his little grandson after an
illness of three days. One of our deacons lost a son
and a daughter last year, another one his second
son, and still another his wife. In one small village
where Ave have an outstation eleven children died
out of four homes all within a few weeks. This has
given quite a setback to the work there, as they
cannot understand why God should allow children
of Christians to be taken like this.
The Trip to Tengyueh
By Mr. ALLYN B. COOKE, Tengyueh, Yunn.n
I WAS three months on the way to Tengyueh ; one
month actually on the road, and two months at
Talifu waiting for suitable weather. I left
Yunnanfu Wednesday morning, June 25th (1919).
with Mr. Booth, Mr". Allen's son Willie, and two
Chinese Christians. After a short day's journey, we
reached Anningchow, an outstation. In the evening
I played my violin on the street until we had a crowd
of two hundred or more people, then Mr. Booth and
the two Chinese brethren preached to them. After
this they were invited into a preaching service and
there was not standing room. All of us spoke,
though of course I did not speak long. Six men
gave in their names as inquirers, promising to come
the following morning at eight o'clock for special
instruction. I do not know how many of them
came, for I left at seven o'clock on the next stage
of my journey. Mr. Booth and Willie Allen stayed
to see them, going back to Yunnanfu later in the day
with one of the Chinese brethren. The other went
along with me to cook and to manage the coolies.
Except for two evenings we had meetings in chapels
we had a service on the street every night until we
reached Talifu.
At Tsuhsiongfu, about half way from Yunnanfu
to Tali, there is a mission station conducted by Miss
Morgan, an independent worker formerly in our
Mission. At the time we passed through, she was
away. The Christians, however, were very kind to
us, and did all they could to make us comfortable.
The evangelist and his wife insisted that we stay a
day with them and one of the Christians, a barber,
brought us a chicken.
In the afternoon we visited a temple and saw
people going through idolatrous performances in
the hope that the god would send rain. As I looked
I could not keep back the tears. To have seen these
people for whom Christ died, bowing down before
wood and stone images because no one had told
them of His love, surely would have touched any
heart. Will you not pray for them, and for thou-
sands of others like them?
The following morning on leaving we tried to get
the evangelist to take money for having entertained
us but he absolutely refused.
JULY, 1920
As we crossed the plain we noticed how dry the
ground was and how late the people were in getting
their crops planted. As we went, we prayed that
God would send them rain.
Before we reached Talifu. we were almost sorry
that we had asked for rain, for it rained the last
four days we were on the road. The roads became
so slippery that I could hardly stand up. The only
time when I was sure of my footing was when there
were rocks in the road. It made me think of Christ
as the rock on which we stand secure. All other
ground was slippery and uncertain.
Finally, we reached Talifu, and you may be sure
I was glad to see someone with whom I could hold
an intelligible conversation. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna
were very kind, making me feel as though I was at
home. The man who had escorted me refused to go
any further, so I could not go on. Later we heard
that Mr. Fraser would be coming to escort Pastor
Ting Li-mei from Tengyueh to Talifu; hence it was
deemed wise for me to wait for him. Thus, I was
not only able to see the regular work at Talifu, but
also to take part, in a small way. in the two weeks
of special meetings held there by Pastor Ting.
Immediately after these meetings, Mr. Fraser
and I started for Tengyueh. The first day or two
we had little or no trouble, but the third day it
rained again. The pack trains which are continu-
ally passing, cut the roads up so that they resemble
washboards. Since there are no wheeled vehicles,
the ridges run across the road, instead of parallel
with it as they do at home, and the ruts being full
of muddy water, the horses not seeing how deep
they are often stumble. Sometimes they try to
walk on the ridges, but are sure to slip. My horse
fell several times and threw me into the mud.
Despite the condition of the roads, I enjoyed the
trip very much for the scenery was wonderful. Mr.
Flagg met us four days' journey away from Teng-
yueh, at Yungchang. Here Mr. Fraser stayed to
look after some business, while I went on to Teng-
yueh with Mr. Flagg.
From there on we had a very pleasant journey. I
was glad to know that we had at last reached the
place which was to be our home, and it was a joy
to settle down to regular work again.
We are looking to the Lord for great things for
Tengyueh. Even now there are sig'ns of "abund-
ance of rain," but we need much believing prayer on
the part of friends at home in order that God may
have His way here.
Pray that the Lord may thrust forth laborers into
this harvest field. More- noticeable than anything
else in the trip across the province was the scarcity
of workers, for we crossed great plains where there
was absolutely no witness.
A Practical Prayer and a Restraining Dream
By Mr. A. GRACIE. Yungkang, Chekiang
OUR visits to the homes of the members supply
us with many pleasant experiences. Our
hearts are often cheered to mark their simple
and sincere faith in God. One day I was standing
speaking to a Christian woman, when she pointed to
a fat pig rolling in the gutter, and said there was an
epidemic among the pigs in the summer when
nearly all her neighbors' pigs were attacked by the
disease and died.
"But," said she, "I knelt down and prayed for
mine, and told the Lord I was feeding it for my
son's wedding feast, and asked Him to have mercy
on us. And the Lord heard the prayer and saved
my pig from being struck down by the disease."
A month later I was at the marriage, and some of
the savory dishes placed before us were filled with
the pork from this very pig! They were all rejoic-
ing at the divine interposition on their behalf. Being
poor people it would have been a great loss had the
pig died.
Mr. Chong, who used to be a notorious gambler
and is now a deacon in the church, paid us a visit
the other day. He told us of an old woman in his
village who gave promise at one time of becoming
a Christian, then went back and left off attending
the meetings. But just lately being taken ill, she
became concerned about her soul's welfare. Deacon
Chong spoke to her and she found peace in believ-
ing, only she was troubled at not being baptized as
the Lord commanded. It being too far to send for
me, the deacon with a few of the members met
together and had prayer and then took water and
sprinkled her. Shortly after she passed quietly
away.
One of her daughters who had come to see her,
upon hearing that her mother was to have a Chris-
tian burial, made a great fuss, vowing she would
invite the priests and observe the usual heathen
rites. However, that night she dreamed she saw
her mother being taken up to heaven in a beautiful
sedan -chair and receiving a warm welcome into
paradise. On awakening, she said that was enough,
her mother had entered the happy abode without the
aid of the priests and that she would agree to her
mother being buried in a Christian manner.
Our Shanghai Letter
By Mr. JAMES STARK. Secretary of the China Council, writing on May 21st, 1920
Disturbed conditions are reported
from several of our centre?. No fur-
ther news has been received concern-
ing the fighting between Tsinchow
and Longchow, in Kansu and Shensi,
respectively, to which I referred in a
previous letter; but Mr. Hagqvist,
writing from Sianfu on May 7th, says
the political situation in the latter
province is very serious. There has
been fighting between brigands and
soldiers, many being killed on both
sides. The relation between the
Tuchun and Hsu Lan-chow, the com-
mander of the Fengtien troops, is
very strained, and it is the general
opinion 'that there will soon be fight-
ing between them, which will have
grave results, as both sides are said
to be well prepared. At Fengsiang.
fighting between rebel soldiers and
government troops had already begun
on the 3rd of May. Mr. C. H. Stevens
writes :
CHINAS MILLIONS
"The people are being treated
scandalously by marauding soldiers :
not only have their grain and fodder
been largely commandeered, but the
soldiers visit the villages in bodies,
looting, .extorting and torturing to
such an extent that many of these
poor folk dare not spend the night
at home. If things continue thus, I
am afraid many will soon be in a
desperate state for food, raiment and
money."
From Pachow in eastern Szechwan.
Mr. Porter reports that at the begin-
ning of March the surrounding coun-
try was in a state of unrest. Brigand-
age was prevalent, and righting had
taken place. The Red Lamp Society
had been causing trouble, and many
of the people had suffered at their
hands. Mr. Porter writes:
"The military leader here is the
brigand chief Chen Chi-ho, the
troubler of the Kwangan district a
few years ago. He has a great many
soldiers under him. We have had no
rain now for some months, and the
crops are suffering. There is scarce-
ly enough rice for the people, and
the price of food is almost prohibi-
tive. The people are fearing a bad
harvest, so with brigandage, military
oppression and opium the prospects
are bad all around for everybody."
On the upper Yangtse the condi-
tions are very bad. Mr. Hockman
experienced considerable difficulty on
his way back to eastern Szechwan.
He joined a party of missionaries of
another Mission, and their boat was
attacked and had to fight its way
through. In a letter received from
Mr. Squire, written from Ichang on
March 31st, lie mentions that some
members of the American Baptist
Missionary Union were stopped by
robbers who fired at their boat, kill-
ing one of their boatmen. The rob-
bers came on board, and opening
their boxes took off almost all their
stuff. As the robbers were climbing
up the bank, some soldiers arrived
and fired on these men, who
dropped their loot and fled, where-
upon the soldiers gathered it up, car-
ried it off to their own boats and
distributed it amongst themselves.
Dr. Humphreys, the leader of the
party, however, went to the yamen,
and succeeded in recovering a good
deal of the stolen property.
In a further letter received from
Mr. Squire yesterday he reports the
arrival of some missionaries of the
Canadian Methodist Mission at the
C.I.M. landing stage in Ichang at half
past nine at night, with eight steamer
trunks. As soon as two trunks had
been landed, several soldiers appeared
and demanded that the boxes be
opened for inspection, saving thev
had to see whether there" was any
contraband. The owners protested
that they were missionaries and had
no contraband, but the soldiers still
insisted that the boxes should be
opened. They were asked to wait
while the keys were fetched from the
C.I.M. house; but this they refused
to do. They then had a short consul-
tation and some of them went off,
soon reappearing with reinforcements
armed with clubs which they used in
battering the boxes to pieces. Mr.
Fawcett Olsen of . the C.I.M. at-
tempted to make his way to the
Mission house, but was very roughly
seized by the soldiers, one of whom
struck him on the back. Another
drew a knife and threatened him if
any resistance were offered, while yet
another stood on guard brandishing a
club, daring him to try to go for help.
As the lids of the boxes gave way,
the soldiers excitedly gathered
around and Mr. Olsen took advantage
of the opportunity of slipping into
the darkness and reaching the Mis-
sion house. He gave the alarm, and
with Mr. Squire set out to go to
the Consulate; but on reaching the
gate found a cordon of soldiers
drawn up, preventing their exit.
However, these soon retired and the
two missionaries went and notified
the Consul who promptly went off to
the military camp and after a little
delay received an escort of a dozen
soldiers, who proceeded with him to
the landing stage. Meanwhile the
soldiers had departed, carrying off
two big steamer trunks. The next
morning one of the trunks was found
a little way along the bank, smashed
beyond repair and completely empty.
Alongside of it was a soldier's iden-
tification tag and two soldiers' hats.
Mr. Squire writes:
"A reign of terror now exists in
Ichang. Dozens of soldiers roam
about the foreshore every evening,
robbing unlucky people, who seek to
embark or disembark, until the peo-
ple are scared to go near the shore
after dusk. Surely it is time the
Government withdrew these soldiers
who are a menace not only to the
native but also to the foreign com-
munity."
In Southern Shansi, Dr. and Mrs.
Howard Taylor's ministry was
greatly appreciated, and during their
Visit to Hungtung a number of boys
in the Mission school professed con-
version. Mr. Lutley r mentions that,
next term, he is expecting consider-
ably over a hundred boys ' in the
higher primary and middle schools. I
would ask your special prayers on
behalf of Mr. Hogben of Hiangcheng.
Honan, who has been appointed prin-
cipal and will be taking up his duties
at an early date.
Self-support. Recently, several let-
ters have 'been received, indicating
encouraging progress in the realiza-
tion of our ideal of self-support in
the Chinese church. Mr. William
•Taylor, Superintendent of northeast-
ern Kiangsi, informs us that in his
district there are something like 70
Chinese paid workers, and that some
17 are now wholly and 24 partly sup-
ported by the local churches. In
Hunan, Mr. Heinrich Witt, the Sup-
erintendent of our Liebenzeller As-
sociate Mission, informs us that eight
outstations in the Paoking district
are now self-supporting, while the
central church pays the salaries of
four preachers and two bible-women.
In the Yiianchow district the outsta-
tions are also self-supporting.
A Visit to Kum Bum. Mr. G. K.
Harris writes, saying that early in
March, he paid a visit to the Tibetan
lamasery, Kum Bum, one of the
church members accompanying him.
He reports a fairly good sale of
Scripture portions in five languages,
and not a few opportunities for wit-
nessing for Christ.
Evangelistic Missions. God's bless-
ing has been attending Miss Gregg's
missions at the English Baptist Mis-
sion stations in Shantung. A lady at
one of these recently sent a cheque
for $100, as a thank-offering. On
April 6th, Miss Gregg wrote, "In
Shantung so far, 353 have given in
their names." There has been much
encouragement in connection with
Mr. Darlington's evangelistic mis-
sions at some of the eastern Szech-
wan stations. Mr. G. T. Denham.
writing from Liangshan on March
31st, says:
"Humanly speaking, many things
were against us, and the devil did
his best to hinder and oppose, but
God was with us and gave victory.
A real spirit of interest and inquiry
was manifested and 150 men and
about 12 women either promised to
join a Bible class or made decision for
Christ. This is indeed something to
praise God for. Since the mission
I have had three classes with these
men. On two afternoons we had
special meetings for the gentry and
it was fine to see the county magis-
trate and the leading gentry, together
with high military and civil officials.
in the church listening to the Gos-
pel. Some showed genuine interest
and two or three have been coming
since. Two who gave in their names
have both sent two sons to our
school."
Turning to western Szechwan, I
select an extract from a letter re-
ceived from Air. A. Grainger, of
Chengtu: "I began evangelistic work
in the schoolroom of the Bible School
here. We hold meetings four even-
ings a week, open to men and
women. The attendance, in spite of
wet weather, has been encouraging,
and the room, which is seated for
sixty or seventy, is usually full. The
people in our own neighborhood,
whom we in the past have longed to
reach, are coming in freely. The an-
nual fair has commenced, and a mat
shed has been erected for evangelis-
tic work. This will be carried on daily
by the various Missions in this city,
for five or six weeks. Wednesday is
C.I.M. day, and we began work to-
day. The tent was filled with both
men and women for three hours,
while we kept up a continuous
stream of preaching. Many tracts
and books were sold and distributed.
Personally, I sold forty gospels. This
is a great seed-sowing time."
Mr. C. H. Stevens reports special
meetings conducted at Fengsiang in
Shensi by Pastor Wang of Hingping,
last month. Between one and two
thousand specially printed invitations
were circulated, and the response was
most encouraging. The number who
daily heard the Gospel was well over
one thousand. About forty new in-
quirers were added to the list, and
most of these are individuals who
had been previously exhorted or
prayed for.
Editorial Notes
A SMALL book has recently been written by Mr.
Marshall Broomhall, the Mission Editorial
Secretary, which promises to fulfil a real need
for a missionary publication in behalf of the young.
It is entitled, '"Hudson Taylor: The Man Who
Dared." It is a brief story of Mr. Hudson Taylor's
life, its salient episodes being touched upon in a
most fascinating way and the whole being inspira-
tional in character. In fact it is the kind of book
that a Christian father would like to read on a
Sunday evening to his children gathered about him,
for he might be sure that his children would be
profited in the hearing and that he himself would
be blessed in the reading. The book will shortly be
on sale at the offices of the Mission, at fifty cents a
copy, postpaid. i
Reluctantly, the price of "China's Millions" has
been advanced to 75 cents a year in place of 50
cents as hitherto. We believe everyone will under-
stand the necessity of such a change under the
prevailing conditions which have so greatly in-
creased the cost of production of all printed matter.
The advance of our price has long been deferred.
As our widest-traveling- representative, this maga-
zine goes to practically every State and Province
on the North American continent, carrying a testi-
mony of this Mission's faith in Cod and ( iod's Word,
and recording Cod's answers to this faith and His
appeal to His people for help in prayer "against the
mighty." We hope the circuit of this silent deputa-
tion worker will not be seriously shortened or many
place- be closed because of this unavoidable in-
crease.
We are thankful to say that the number of per-
sons now offering to the Mission for service in
China is somewhat greater than it was during the
years of war. But our candidates are still mostly
women, and the expectation that the war would
develop the heroic in men and would lead them in
days of peace to seek service abroad does not seem
to have been realized. We thank Cod for the
women, for they are most profitable to God in
carrying the glad tidings to the regions beyond.
However, we long to see men coming forward, for
they can do a work in evangelizing and leadership
which the women can not fulfil. We need, just
now, among other men. at least seven medical men.
• Where are they all? What has befallen them that
they do not realize the Master's command, the need
of the heathen, and their own priceless privilege of
service. Ma}' prayer be made in this matter.
There are at home in the United States and
Canada at present a considerable number of mission-
aries on furlough. These have a glad testimony to
give of what God has done for and through them in
China. Young people need to hear such witnessing
that they may have new conceptions of life. Older
people need to hear the same that they may be
quickened into newness of prayer and gift. The
church at large needs to hear such that it may be
revived from indifference and sloth and led out into
active service at home and abroad. But we cannot
force our missionaries upon people, We and they
must wait for invitations to speak. We pray that
open doors may be set before them. Will not our
friends help God to answer prayer by giving them
opportunities for service? We do not ask for con-
spicuous appointments. The humble places are
often the best, such as a prayer meeting or a young
peoples' meeting. This is a suggestion which we
make in the hope that China may be more largely
blessed.
Another annual conference has come and gone.
And yet such a conference as we have had this year,
while it comes, never goes. How can it do so, when
eternal verities have been experienced? Such
indeed was the case this year. Every conference,
because it is the newest, seems the best. But this
really was the best. It was so in the weather, in the
attendance, in the speaking, in the fellowship and
in the spirit. This last is a vital element in a con-
ference. It is easy to obtain all the outward
assemblage of favorable conditions, but if the spirit
is lacking there is no fulness of joy. This was not
the case this past year ; but quite the contrary. In
speakers and listeners alike there was the unction
of the 1 loly ( )ne and hearts were glad in Him. We
praise our Father, therefore, for answered prayer.
He has filled us with good things and we have
separated satisfied with Him. It is now for us to
live for Him every day and all the days. May it be
witli new dedication of heart and life for China, and
hence with new fruitfulness for that land.
"As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you"
(John 20:21). A lady missionary at the recent
conference held at Niagara told the following story.
A certain man in England had a son. Being an
earnest Christian he dedicated him to God for the
foreign field. But the child, when he grew up, had
ideas of his own and chose to go into Government
service. He was successful and went higher and
higher up until he became a diplomat. A friend
m speaking to the father inquired about his son,
asking him what he was doing. He replied as fol-
lows: "When my son was born I dedicated him to
foreign service, desiring him to be a missionary:
but he has dribbled down to being an ambassador."
Wdiat a wonderful utterance this was. What a true
conception of things that father had. How noble it
was to give his boy to God and how splendid it was
of him to count the highest post of honor his Gov-
ernment could give him as nothing compared with
the high and holy office of a missionary. Few
indeed are the Christian fathers who would have
looked at things from this father's standpoint. And
yet it is God's view of life. Is it yours, dear father
and mother, you who have a child to give? May
you be granted grace to see as God sees and then
to do as God did when He gave His only begotten
Son to vou.
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Praise God for "fruit in the year of
drought" (page 99).
Thank God for past blessings
showered upon the Mission and pray
earnestly for the future "that we may
not cease yielding fruit" (p. 102).
Give thanks for blessing received at
the Niagara Conference, 1920, and ask
that God may use it still further
through the messages given (pp. 102
and 111).
Thank God for His deliverance of
missionaries and native helpers from
the hands of robbers in Yunnan (p.
104), and pray for the unshepherded
and
Lc
grant a condition of peace in this
province" (p. 107).
Give thanks for the success of
evangelistic meetings in Kiangsu,
remembering that the Enemy resists
these gains of the Lord's work, and
specially praying for Wang Kin-kang
and afflicted Christians (p. 108).
Pray for the work in Tengyueh and
workers for the great unoccupied
fields of West China (p. 108).
Pray .that God will overrule the
disturbances in China, keeping His
servants in peace and protecting their
work (p. 109).
Pray for workers taking up school
duties in Hungtung, Shansi (pp. 110
and 112).
Praise God for the success of
evangelistic missions, asking His
blessing on the seed sown (p. 110).
Pray for more "willing workers" to
offer for service in China, especially
for men, including seven much needed
doctors (p. 111).
Pray for workers entering into new
duties on the mission field (p. 112).
ARRIVALS
June 16th, 1920. at Vancouver, Dr.
and Mrs. A. W. Lagerquist and two
children, and Mr. and Mrs. H. Olson
and three children from China.
June 21st, at Vancouver, Miss R.
Jeffery, from Shanghai.
DEPARTURES
July 3rd, 1920, from Montreal, Miss
R. Jeffery, for England.
July 10th, from Vancouver, Mrs.
Robert Gillies returning, with Miss
Eva McCarthy, to China.
July 11th, from Montreal, Mr. H. G.
McMaking, for England.
BIRTH
May Sth, 1920, at Sichow, Shansi, to
Air. and Mrs. J. H. Mellow, a son,
Clifford.
MARRIAGE
Mav 1st, 1920, at Yunnanfu, Yunnan,
Rev. H. W. Flagg to Miss Minnie E.
HERE AND THERE
Miss C. E. Chaffee, formerly
of
lford, Conn., has been designated
to Changteh, Hunan, the station of
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Bannan.
Miss Jennie B. Powell, from To-
ronto, has been assigned to Anjen,
CHINAS MILLIONS
Miss Ruth Benson has been ap-
pointed to central Shansi, the par-
ticular station to be chosen later by
the superintendent, Mr. Lutley.
Miss Hazel E. Barney, from
Springfield, Mass., has been sent to
the work at Chungking, the main
centre of the work in West Szechwan
at which Mr. and Mrs. H. E. V.
Andrews are at present located.
Miss Esther B. Bushy, formerly of
Minneapolis, is temporarily serving in
the Mission offices at Shanghai owing
to pressing need of assistance there.
BAPTISMS
Baptisms to the number of 717 have
been reported (up to April) in 1920.
Among these there have been the
following: 113 (in two months) in
Yunnanfu, the station of Mr. H. A. C.
Allen, where Mr. George Booth and
Miss Dorothy Allen are working; 80
in Yencheng, Honan, the station
under Mr. Lack, where Miss Griffith
is also engaged in work; 44 in Yiian-
chow, Kiangsi, the station of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Porteous, Mrs. Lawson
and Miss Gemmell; 34 (in two
months) in Wenchow district; 13 in
Kiating, Szechwan, where Mr. 'and
Mrs. Ririe are in charge; 8 in Kweiki,
Kiangsi, where Miss Rough is located
under Miss Marchbank; also 76
from three small stations among the
tribespeople of Yunnan.
In May the baptisms reported for
this year, 1920, numbered 1,121. In
Kweichow, 165 were reported from
Kopu, and 23 from Anshun; these are
doubtless among the tribespeople.
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, JUNE, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
TORONTO
MISSIONARY AND
Date No
Amount
Date No.
Amount
MISSIONARY AND
Date No.
Amount
26—7 11..
. . $ 10
00
GENERAL
Date No.
PURPOSES
Amount
22—790 . . .
791. . .
. $ 100.00
10.00
5—734
735
7—737
$ 10.00
70.00
15.00
GENERAL PURPOSES
10—667
668
$ 5.00
10.00
28—714. .
719. .
2 . 00
2—723.. .
. $ 34 . 73
793 .. .
.50
738 ... .
1.50
1—631 S 10.00
11—670
1.00
724 .. .
726 .. .
20.00
794 .. .
796 . . .
2.22
5.00
8—742
20.00
632 32 . 30
|^2
1.50
10.00
SPECIAL PURPOSES
728. . .
23—798 . . .
3.00
50.00
12—673 . . .
5.00
1—629 . .
4—730. . .
4.00
799 .. .
3.00
9—745 ....
50.00
5.00
630..
5—732 . .
800 .. .
5.00
15.00
679
->0 25
2—638..
733 . .
25.00
801 .. .
6.00
10—751 ....
21.25
680
3.75
7—653 . .
7—736. . .
160.00
24—802 . . .
50.00
752 ....
18.00
639 10.00
16—682
12.00
655 . .
739 .. .
803 . . .
4 . 00
2.00
683
25.00
9—661
8—741 . .
805 . . .
2.00
756 ... .
1.50
18—685
5.00
10—662
25.00
757
1.00
686
5.00
664 .
10.00
758
1.00
687
10 00
14—674
11—763. . . .
30.00
.50
811. . .
1.00
765 ....
„ 10.00
6S9
4 00
00
28—814. . .
. . 3,000.00
414.00
690
2.00
14—771 ....
5.00
10.00
16—681
10.00
15—775. . . .
20.00
692
10.00
18—684
.1(1
759 . .
819. . .
75.00
776. . . .
250.00
47.30
693. .
760 . .
820 .. .
30.00
16—781 ....
10.00
19—696
10.00
694. .
761. .
500.00
17—782
6.00
20.00
21—697 .
18—783 ....
25.00
50.00
22—707 . .
20.00
824
14.00
21—786 Int
240.00
700
5.00
710. .
00
14—767 . .
20.00
1 . 00
795 ... .
150.00
25—701
10.00
768. .
81.00
797. . .
25.00
702 .
5.00
47 . 50
24—804 ...
112.50
20.00
29—715.
15.00
25—807
25.00
2.00
716. .
772 .
10.00
830 .. .
22.67
808 ... .
95.00
26—703
10.00
717. .
15—773. . .
50.00
832 .. .
355.09
2.00
812. . . .
26—813
10.00
20.00
10—663 100.00
706
5.00
1.00
718. .
16—777. .
20.00
836 .. .
250.00
28—815
20.00
709
20.00
778 .
5.15
817. .. .
15.00
5.00
SUMMARY
SPECIAL
For Missionary and General Purpos
785 . .
25 . 00
2—725 . .
.. $ 10.00
833 ... .
834 ....
100.00
50.00
For Special Purpos
$ 8.055.61
5 . 00
729 . .
5.00
From Toronto —
For Missionary and General Purpos
52 058 75
s $ 903.75
For Special Purposes
$ 10.103.81
Previously acknowledged, 1920
8S.135.92
$98,239
73
1
EBENEZER
VOL. XX Villi. No. 7 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER.YEAR
CHINAS
MILUONS
Entered »• tecond-clau matter. December 12, 1917, at the pott office at I
March 3, 1 879. Acceptance (or mailing at ipecial rate of poitaje provided
authorized July 18, 1918
MISSION OFFICES
G E RM ANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA, PA
TORONTO
AUGUST, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
The Glories and Possibilities of the
Christian Life— By Rev. A. S. Imrie
Phonetic Script: What it is and How it
Works — By Various Missionaries
A Contrast in Burials — By Mrs. J. Falls. .
Institute and Station Work— By Mrs. F. C.
H. Dreyer
How Paoning Hospital was Kept Open — By
Dr.C. C. Elliott
The Call to Medical Advance— By Dr. D.
—By Dr. Jessie
Hospital Prob:
Donald
"Whatsoever Thy Hand Findeth T
By Mrs. R. W. Porteous
"After Many Days" — By Mrs.
jewui-mh
H.
Lachlan. .
"Sea of Literature" the son of Laboi
Lee— By Mr. R. G. Gillies
Here and There, Arrivals, Departure;
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
Editorial Notes— By F. F. H
Missionary Review of the World," New York
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST, PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Philadelphia. Pa.
Roger B. Whittlesey, Secretary-Treasurer
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer.
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N.J.
Rev. Fred W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitations of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,400 native helpers,
some of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,800 stations and
outstations have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,531 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 52,400
Since 1865, over 77,000 conve
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications for s
Ihina should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either <
lade payable to the "(
NOTE.— Postage to all C.l.M. si
now five cents per ounce from Canada.
In the case of a donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad.
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
" transmission, " and for the private use of that individual.
FORM OF BEQUEST— I give and bequeath,
unto the China Inland Mis ion (see note) the sum of
FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise unto the
China Inland Mission (see note), all that certain (here
insert description of property) with the appurtenances
in fee simple, for the use. bene-
fit and behalf of said Mission
forever; and direct that the re-
ef the Horn. "
■■■
,i M^
» .hall be a i
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows :
Wednesday 8.00 p.m.
Church of the Atont
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic City)
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale. C.l.M. Representative, 6506 Ventnor Ave.. Friday 3.30 p
Superior, Wis.
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St Tuesday 8.00 p
Tacoma, Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington, 811 So. Junett St Mon. Afternoon
8.00p
Vancouver, B.C.
Res.. Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.l.M. Representative, 1936
KeeferSt 3rd Friday 8.00 p
Bible Training School. 356 Broadway W 2nd Friday 8.00 p
Grand Rapi' St. Bap. Church. .Thurs. preceding 1st Sunday. .8.00 p.n
Pontiac, Mich., Res., Mrs. Robt. Garner, 90 Oakland Ave.. .1st Friday 7.30 p.n:
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec, Mrs. Ed. J. Lee . 2nd Thursday 7.30 p.n
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch., 23rd Ave. S. and
8th St Thurs. after 1st. Sunday.
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Church Wed. after 1st Sunday.
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie
Sherwood, Ore., Res., Dr. Fosner 1st Tuesday 2.30 p.m.
Seattle, Wash., Res.. Mr. O. G. Whipple. 1816 38th Ave. N. .2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Bellingham, Wash., Alternately at Y.W.C.A. and Res.. Mr.
F. M. Mercer, 2132 Walnut St 2nd Monday 8.00 p.m.
Halifax, N.S., At various homes. Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty.
Armdale 2nd Monday 3.15 p.m.
Montreal, Que., Res., Mr. J. David Fraser, 350 MacKay St.. .1st Monday 4.00 p.m.
Ottawa, Ont., At Y.W.C.A. Chairman, Com'd'r. Stephens,
99]Acacia Ave 2nd Friday
Niagara Falls, Ont., Gospel Tabernacle. Temperance St
3rd Tuesday 8.00 pja.
Hamilton, Ont., Caroline St. Mission (Rev. I. S. Pritchard.
Supt.) 1st Wednesday.
London, Ont., Res., Rev. F. A. Steven, C.l.M. Representative.
598 Princess Ave 4th Friday 3.30 p.ra
Scudder, Ont., Sec. Mr. George E. Pegg 1st Tuesday.
Bolsover, Ont., At various homes. Sec, Miss A. M. McRae.
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont 1st Wednesday .... 3 .30 p.n
Winnipeg, Man., Res., Mrs. W. R. Mulock, 557 Wellington
Cres 1st Friday 3.00 p.n
Calgary, Alberta, Res.. Mr. A. L. Forde. 1328 11th Ave. W. . 1st Monday 8.00 p.m
Victoria, B.C., Book and Bible Room, Fairfield Bldg.. Cor-
morant St. 1st Tuesday. Also occasional meetings 8 00 p.m
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO AUGUST, 1920
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tA-ON-THE-LAKE, 1920. AMONG O
The Glories and Possibilities of the Christian Life
An Address by Rev. ANDREW S. IMRIE, given at the Niagara Conference, 1920
I WISH to read the first five verses of 1 Peter 1.
These words come home freshly to our own
souls.
This morning I awoke with the thought of how
glorious it .is to he God's child!
How glorious it is to know that you are really
saved, sealed, separated, and awaiting the dawn-
ing of the day — but working and watching while
you wait. Christ is living in you, and when you
realize that, there is a certain spontaneity about
your life that makes the gainsayer and worldling
take cognizance of the reality of the Living Christ
in the believer, as in Acts 3: 8-11. "they saw
they knew they wondered."
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the stran-
gers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappa-
docia, Asia, and Bithynia." Peter is not only speak-
ing to the Jewish believers of the dispersion, but
to the Gentiles, and I take it to myself, for these
words bring joy to my own soul, because I am an
alien in a strange land and I belong to the King.
The strangers of the dispersion are being
addressed by a worthy subject of the Great King,
for he had witnessed the sufferings of Christ and
would be a partaker of the glory to be revealed. He
wishes them to know that they are wedded to a
King, and to remind them that they are not to
forget their imperial palace nor the kingdom to
which they belong.
Your citizenship is in the glory (Philippians 3:20),
and because of it you are living in a strange coun-
try, according to the laws of your own King's
country, and not according to those in vogue where
you are dwelling. You are being watched, you are
being read, and because you are a stranger, you are
a propagandist. As I heard of how China is taking
piece after piece of Tibet, I thought, "Ah, that is
how we should be taking this portion and that piece
for our Government, this jewel and that gem for
our King; for our citizenship is in the heavenlies,
from whence also we look for the Savior. We are
ever and always to be seeking the interests of our
own country.
You are a light in this foreign land — for the dark-
ness is not only in China, it is throughout the world.
You are the light of the world, to dissipate the
darkness wherever you go.
You are the salt of the earth, and salt must be
sprinkled, to modify and preserve the constituency
in which it finds itself.
We have a seed basket. But that seed is useless
in the bins. Scatter it! It is the Word of God, and
Christ is the very center and life of that Word,
scatter it, and then what marvelous harvests will
accrue !
Being- a stranger, you are also a gatherer, to
gather in the harvest. You are a seeker, as Jesus
Christ was (Luke 19:10), and He said, "as the
Father hath sent Me, even so send I you" (John
20:21). Christ came to seek and to save that which
was lost. Do I believe that? I wouldn't preach, if
I didn't believe that the boy out of Christ is lost!
Yes, we are strangers here, and we have no con-
tinuing city, and when our work is finished our
Master will call us home, where we will not be
strangers, but brothers and sisters, members of the
Body and Bride of Christ.
Listen to his ascription of praise : "Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us
again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead. . . " The stranger had
a song in his soul. I wish I could sing, for I'd sing
to you this morning —
"O, yes, I love Him,
I love Him,
Because He first loved me !"
From the first day that He called Peter from the
fishing smack to be a fisher of men, Peter had loved
Him — he saw Him in that dark garden, and on
116
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Calvary, was a witness of the sufferings, and knew
he was to be a partaker of the glory — why, how
could he help but pour out his soul in love and ador-
ation ! "I was a wandering one, but now I am a
found one," he says. "I was in darkness, but He has
translated me into the kingdom of His dear Son. I
was dead, but He imparted His own life to me."
"Begotten again." That is the basis of every-
thing which a man has to experience. There is a
changed relationship, new aspirations, new ideals,
and new motives for service for me, because I know
that Christ died, that Christ rose from the dead, and
that I am His and He is mine. O soul, wing thyself
away from earth, and let me know what it is to be
begotten by the Eternal Son, through the Eternal
Spirit, into fellowship with the Eternal Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ !
"A living hope." The hope in Christ is a new
hope, a living hope that transfigures things. My
vain hopes were blasted, but now I have a living
hope, that is an anchor of the soul, within the veil,
drawing me up. Most anchors pull the ship down-
wards, but mine pulls me upwards !
It is a purifying hope. It transfigures one's life,
for every one "that hath this hope in Him purifieth
himself, even as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). Ah, this
morning I thank God that the glorious hope of the
coming day ever gripped my soul ! Some day I'll
see Him, some day I'll touch His hand ; some day
I'll understand.
We have this hope that enriches, purifies, and
transforms, and we also have an inheritance. We
are wealthy.
"What I lost in Adam, I found in Christ and much
more. All the silver and the gold is mine, and I am
an heir of God, a joint-heir with Christ. Remember
that the inheritance is reserved for us, and we are
kept for the inheritance. "Unto an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for. you, who are kept i»y
the power of God." When I have reserved a seat
in the hall, I have no anxiety, for I know it is mine.
And the Blessed Lord has reserved my inheritance
for me in glory !
We have been sought out by Christ. We have
been purchased by Christ (1 Peter 1:18.19), and we
have been sealed, which marks Christ's ownership
of us and our security ; so if I were asked what I
was speaking about this morning, it would be "The
Glories and Possibilities of Christian Life." The
source of all this is just the renewed life. You just
hie away to Christ and say, "Lord, I am just a lost,
wandering soul — I am nothing — but envelope me in
Thy much mercy and save me."
"According to His abundant mercy" I have been
redeemed. He went to the slave-market, and
bought me, and I'll never, .never go back again,
because He has sealed me. And when Satan sees
that seal, he walks away without doing anything
to me.
And Pie not only died, but He rose again, and has
written to me to tell me so, with His own signature.
He has placed the doors of death on well-oiled
hinges, so that they can never keep any of His own
within. Oh, my Lord is victor over sin, and death,
and Satan, and the grave, and I have a living hope,
that I may never see death, or if I do, it will just be
passing through the portals. "The Lord shall
preserve thy going out and thy coming in, even
from henceforth and forevermore."
Phonetic Script: What it is and How it Works
Told by Various Mi
By Mrs. F. W. BALLER. Wuhu, Anhwei
ONE peculiarity of the Chinese language is that
each separate word is represented by a dis-
tinct character. Even a Chinese pocket
dictionary contains ten thousand characters.
To read the New Testament, one needs to know
between two and three thousand characters, and the
whole Bible, between five and six thousand. The
extreme difficulty and complexity of the written
language, accounts in large measure for the illit-
eracy of the vast majority of Chinese adults.
During recent years several rival systems of
"simplified" writing have come into use, with the
view of assisting the illiterate to read. Among
them are various forms of Romanization, the adop-
tion of the Braille System for the Blind by Miss
Garland, of the C.I.M., a phonetic system of symbols
invented by Wang Chao, a Hanlin scholar, and
modified by Dr. Sydney Peill, of the London Mis-
sion ; and the Government Phonetic Script. Between
four and five years ago the Board of Education
assembled seventy scholars from some of the
Mandarin-speaking provinces, at Peking, and set
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^CHINESE NATIONAL
AUGUST, 1920
117
them to work to evolve a simple form of phonetic
script. The last-named is the result of their labors.
This system has 39 symbols — 24 initials, 3 medials
and 12 finals. No Chinese word needs more than
three symbols to spell it. Several classes in the
Peking Normal School have graduated in the
Government script, and it is to be widely taught
throughout China.
By Miss A. MILDRED CABLE, Hwochow, Shansi
A representative gathering of missionaries,
Chinese and foreign, meeting at Shanghai,
was bold enough to formulate as one of its ob-
j e c t i v e s, "A
literate church
in China within
the next two
years."
Only those
accustomed to
present the
Gospel to hea-
then can realize
the boldness of
this venture.
Such an objec-
tive is only
made practic-
able by reason
of the. issue by
the Chinese
Government of
a Phonetic
Script to be
adopted throughout the country, which puts into the
hands of the missionary body a means of evangel-
istic effort of the first magnitude. We hear much
of the Chinese literati, but in practice our problem is
how to deal with the vast masses of illiterati.
An overwhelming majority of the women of
China are absoutely' without education and vast
numbers of the men cannot read. The Christian
church has been one of the great educative forces
of the country and has endeavored to teach (apart
from its educational institutions) all who came
within range of its influence to read at least por-
tions of the New Testament. Only those who have
attempted to teach the facts of Scripture by word
of mouth can realize how great are the difficulties
involved in such work. The Chinese written char-
acter presents insuperable difficulties to those who
have reached middle age with minds untrained by
any system of education and whose powers of eye-
sight and memory are on the decline. On the other
hand, where a convert is able to read the Scriptures
fluently it is surprising to what a deep knowledge
of spiritual matters he may attain with no other
teaching than that given by the illumination of the
Holy Spirit.
We have appeared to ourselves and to others as
men who attempt to dispel darkness by the strik-
ing of many matches and the occasional igniting
of a feeble candle, and behold, we find ourselves
possessors of an unlimited store of electric power
which is at our disposal for broadcast dissemina-
tion of light. Years of thought have resulted in the
selection of thirty-nine symbols, Chinese in char-
acter, selected on a scientific basis and' capable of
combinations which enable them to cover every
sound of the Chinese language. What the discovery
of printing and the translation of the Scriptures in
the vulgar tongue did for Europe during the period
of the Reformation in the line of practical possibili-
ties this Script may do for China.
The dispersal of medieval darkness could never
have been effected throughout the length and
breadth of the continent of Europe had the doctrine
of -justification by faith depended for its elucidation
upon the personal propaganda of a limited number
of preachers. The moment of dawn had come, and
co-existent with the awakening of the minds of a
few was the opening up of means of communication
to the many.
Disseminate knowledge widely, this Script most
surely will. What that knowledge will be lies
largely, at the present moment, in the hands of the
missionary body, and in this system of phonetics we
see our opportunity to bring hundreds of thousands
under the sound of the Gospel and the possibility of
placing in their hands scriptures which they will
find themselves able to read. A month of tuition
will now enable a middle-aged illiterate to read with
fair fluency. The same hours of labor which form-
erly resulted in the mastering of about twenty
verses of Scripture now puts him in possession of
a script which will bring the whole Bible within his
reach.
The movement is one which brooks no delay. Vast
issues are at stake. The China Continuation Com-
mittee of the Edinburgh Conference has taken the
matter up energetically and the Bible and Tract
societies are rapidly issuing their various publica-
tions in phonetic. Our energies must now be con-
centrated on discovering the best means of dis-
seminating that particular line of knowledge which
it is our desire to impart to the largest number of
people in the most effectual way possible. In many
cases the necessary elements of organization are
already on hand. Chinese men and women with
knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures,
keen with evangelistic fervor, and with a training
in educational methods, are ready to take their full
share in the campaign. Foreign missionaries, their
hands seemingly full of work, are still prepared to
put forth, gladly, fresh efforts to advance this for-
ward movement.
The immediate necessities which impress them-
selves on the Mission field are :
1st. The establishment of temporary normal
schools to enable us to supply the demand for
Christian teachers of Phonetics.
2nd. The establishment of temporary village
schools where the teaching of Script and Scriptures
will go hand-in-hand and where a measure of edu-
cation will be placed within the grasp of all who
desire to take it.
3rd. An adequate supply of Christian literature to
serve as text books.
4th. The means to give our great venture the
publicity which is necessary to its success.
I us
Our demand upon the home base is that fervent
and effectual prayer be made by the church that
this great opportunity may be handled with a wis-
dom which comes only by inspiration of the Spirit
of God.
By Mrs. ELSIE GROSART. Hwochow, Shansi
The phonetic script is a marvelous opportunity
for winning souls, as we get in touch with people
now that it would be impossible to reach otherwise.
We have classes every month. The last class we
had in were all illiterate heathen girls. There were
almost eighteen of them. All through we were
conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our
midst and so we were led to hold an evangelistic
meeting about the third week. When the invita-
tion was given every one of those girls took her
stand for Christ and they are all eager to learn
more about the dear Lord. The harvest truly is
ripe, it only needs the sharpened sickle to gather
it in.
By Miss SOPHIE JORGENSEN, Kuwo, Shansi
(Miss Jorgensen, hearing of a class for Phonetic
held at a neighboring station where one young
woman learned to read in ten days, tried to get up a
class at Kuwo but the city women would not spare
time to come, so a beginning was made by teaching
Mrs. Tang, the matron of the girls' school, an old
lady of seventy. During the summer holidays this
woman visited her country home and taught four
young men to read and write Phonetic.)
Last Sunday afternoon, I found Mrs. Tang sitting
on her k'ang with three letters in script spread out
before her, they were from her pupils in her own
village, ten miles away. She has also written short
letters herself to the missionaries who are home
on furlough. I returned yesterday from a visit to
her village, and found the people there most en-
thusiastic about learning the script, most of the
Christians and inquirers there have already learned
it, except two or three who have not found time to
do so yet, but are coming in here for a class after
our conference. They were very eager for script
literature. I was asked several times if I could not
let them have the whole Bible in script.
Two of the young men whom Mrs. Tang taught
during the summer have since been up in the moun-
CHINA'S MILLIONS
tains to buy wood. They earn their living by
making wooden spoons. They were staying in a
very out of the way place in the Puhsien district,
and as they had no slates nor any paper they used
the black-sooted walls in the room in which they
lodged for a blackboard, and a bit of plaster that
had fallen off the wall served as chalk, and in this
way they practised writing until the walls were
covered with Scripture passages in script. People
living near by coming and seeing those strange
characters marvelled greatly and asked what it was.
saying it must be very difficult to learn to write like
that ! The boys with great enthusiasm commenced
telling how quickly they had learned. And then the
people began asking them to teach them* until the
five or six families living in the hamlet were all
learning script with the exception of one old
woman!
There are 324,000.000 illiterate people in China.
There are 36,000,000 non-Christian literates in
China.
There are 125,000 Christian literates in China.
There are 188,000 Christian illiterates in China.
There are not less than 99,000,000 children of
school age in China.
There are 95,000,000 untaught children in China.
There are only 4,208,695 children in school in
China.
There are 125,513 children in Christian schools in
China.
For every boy in' a Christian school 410 are not in
school.
For every girl in a Christian school 900 are not in
school.
If every literate Christian would teach two illiter-
ate Christians to read, the problem of illiteracy in
the Christian church would be solved this year.
Governor Yen of Shansi has ordered 2,500,000
copies of a phonetic primer.
So long as we are afraid of the things that seem
impossible so long God does not get His chance to
prove that He can and will carry us through.
From a pamphlet on Phonetic Script prepared by
the China Continuation Committee.
A Contrast in Burials
By Mrs. JOHN FALLS, Kihsien, Shansi
THERE was a big funeral at Tsihong, just at the
time of our visit during an eight day evangel-
istic trip. A rich banker had died and the
funeral was on a most elaborate scale. Hundreds
of guests attended, so much preaching and tract
distribution was done daily among the crowds on
the streets.
The crowd was restless, out to see all that could
be seen, and there was a good deal to be seen from
a Chinese standpoint, for this funeral is said to
have cost over ten thousand taels. About eighty
beautiful satin banners (several yards in each) were
hanging on the street and inside walls of this rich
man's house, all inscribed with complimentary
phrases. Then, there were houses and chariots
made of paper, men servants and maid servants,
paper money, flowers, and every conceivable thing
it could be anticipated the departed might need for
the spirit world, all made of paper, to be burned at
the grave at the time of interment.
There was endless coming and going, carts bring-
ing and taking away guests, who came to pay their
last respects to the dead, and prostrate themselves
and burn incense before the coffin. Many cooks
under a straw mat tent were making food for the
numerous guests. It looked like a great festivity.
AUGUST. 1920
119
Only by the .coarse white unhemmed mourning
garments was one really aware of the fact that it
was supposed to be a sorrowful occasion, for every-
one seemed to be having a particularly good time,
visiting, eating the best of food, drinking wine and
fragrant tea with one's friends.
Then there was the expensive coffin to view with
its elaborately embroidered red satin catafalque,
said to have cost hundreds of dollars, not to speak
of elaborate clothing and jewels to be buried in the
coffin with the departed.
The firecrackers were the joy of the children, and
adults felt they were fulfilling their duty by letting
off thousands qf them to scare away demons. It
was like a 4th of July. Peddlers from surrounding
villages followed the crowds and cried their wares
and got ready sales for peanuts, popcorn, taffy, dried
apples, pears, dried bean curd, and many other
Chinese delicacies.
Buddhist and Taoist priests vied with each other
in making strange noises, supposed to be chanting,
with music played on strange instruments. Often
people call in priests from the two religions so as
to get from each all the benefit that can be bought,
in order that the departed may lack no good thing.
All this gives "face" to the bereaved family, who
have the comfortable feeling of doing a big thing
and what is right by the departed. They know not
that they are poor and wretched.
How little the crowd heeded the Gospel message !
How taken up the people were with the splendor of
a rich man's interment ! Yet it may be that the
preached word is now silently growing in some
hearts, and the distributed tracts bearing precious
fruit for the Master's glory.
We heard that Mrs. Lo, of Honan village, had died
trusting the Lord, and the old husband asked us to
go back home that way and conduct a Christian
funeral.
There was no trace of idolatry here. When the
gravediggers refused to dig the grave until the
earth god had beefa propitiated, old Mr. Lo said,
"No, we will not burn incense to any false god.
Give me the spade and I will dig it," and he walked
off to dig his own wife's grave.
But after he had turned the first sod the young
gravedigger was ashamed and took the spade and
dug the grave, only remarking, "How can you be
so hard-hearted as to let your wife's spirit go
hungry in the spirit world," meaning that the spirit
was hungry for them to worship idols on her be-
half. This was a good opening to tell the grave-
digger something about "the house of many
mansions" and that the dear wife had now reached
the home where she would hunger no more nor
thirst any more, nor again feel the pinch of poverty.
The usual village crowd gathered to see the
unusual sight of a Christian funeral, where there
was no eating and drinking of food and wine, no
priests, no incense, no firecrackers, no professional
wailing, no burning of paper money, no prostra-
trations before idol shrines, nor any other of the nu-
merous heathen customs ; but only a few relatives
simply dressed in white mourning clothes with a
small company of fellow-Christians who, quietly
happy, sang hymns and read out of a Book that they
seemed to highly prize, and prayed to an unseen God
thanking Him for Mrs. Lo's life and belief in the
Lord Jesus Christ and for the hope of resurrection.
The service seemed strange to that wondering
crowd. Resurrection ! they had never heard of such
a thing before. May the good seed sown in their
hearts that day grow and may many who heard,
believe in the Lord for their soul's salvation.
So Mrs. Lo was laid away to rest "until He
come."
An Ancestral Hall
THERE is being erected in Weihwei City, Honan,
an edifice of unusual interest. The president
of the Republic, President Hsu, has purchased
a large property in the centre of the city, and is
erecting an ancestral hall to the honor of his ances-
tors and to perpetuate the name of the family of
which he is so distinguished a member, and to win
for himself merit. Even the wall which is being
built around the property, with its plain pillars, is
imposing in appearance, but when the ancestral hall
itself is completed, it will doubtless be such as to
call forth true admiration. Weihwei City feels
itself honored in being chosen as the site for this
mark of President Hsu's reverence for his ancestors
and loyalty to his native province of Honan, but how
empty is the hope to thus lay up merit for the
future. — Honan Messenger.
120
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Institute and Station Work
By Mrs. F. C. H. DRYER, Hungtung, Shansi
THE autumn term of about five months was a
very strenuous one. First, Edith, our daughter,
developed appendicitis. I took her to Ping-
yangfu and Dr. Hoyte decided to operate at once.
By God's blessing the operation was successful and
she made a splendid recovery. Next came an epi-
demic of influenza which carried away thousands.
This epidemic was much more deadly than the one
the year before. Whole families were carried off
within a few days. At one time we had nineteen
students and Mr. Canfield, as well as Mr. Dreyer,
down with it. I had to be doctor, nurse, and Bible
lecturer all in one. Mr. Lutley and Edith also had
it badly, but were over the worst before the others
went to bed. Two cases among the students were
very serious ; in fact, we almost despaired of their
lives, but the Lord spared us this added sorrow.
The fact that we did not have a single death,
although there were about 140 people on our two
compounds, caused considerable comment in the
city, for there were from one to eight deaths in
scores of small households.
This term we have an enrolment of 50 students.
They represent the following provinces : Chihli, 1 ;
Honan, 22; Hupeh, 1; Shensi, 2; Shansi, 24. By
Missions: English Baptist, 2; Canadian Church, 3;
Lutheran Free Church, 1 ; Norwegian Lutheran, 2 ;
Augustana Synod Mission, 1 ; American Lutheran
Brethren, 2 ; Church of the Brethren, 1 ; Independent
Mission, 1; Norwegian Mission, C.I.M., 2; Swedish
Mission, C.I.M., 6; China Inland Mission, 29.
While there is sufficient trial and disappointment
in this work to remind us continually of our depend-
ence upon God, there is also much to rejoice and
hearten us. What we hear from former students
constantly encourages us to go on.
One wrote recently : "I had been going the rounds
of the outstations preaching at the special monthly
gatherings. The deacons and members at Liupin-
chia wrote to the pastor asking that I might be sent
to shepherd them. Afterwards they sent a com-
mittee to repeat their request, but Mr. still felt
he could not allow me to give up the circuit work.
So almost in despair they said, "It is useless to look
to man; let us beseech the Lord." They prayed
earnestly and, later, to my surprise, Mr. sud-
denly asked me to take up that work. Needless
to say the people were overjoyed because of this
definite answer to prayer. They engaged carts to
fetch the family and myself, and gave us a royal
welcome. During these few months the Lord has
been blessing us. Eight have been received into
fellowship by baptism and 78 inquirers have been
enrolled: 85,000 cash has been contributed, several
preaching places have been opened, and the outlook
is very promising. Pray for us."
A second writes : "God has sent me to Songkia-
chuang to witness for Him. About 75 people are
interested in the Truth. Of these, over thirty seem
really determined to serve the Lord, and the out-
look is very hopeful. Please pray for these people."
During the Chinese New Year holidays, in Febru-
ary, Mr. Dreyer having been called to Shanghai
for a conference of Bible teachers, I was left with
twenty-eight men, whose homes were too distant to
return to for the holidays. These men were divided
into four bands, for the north, east, south, and west,
and supplied with Scripture portions, tracts, etc.
Each morning a season of prayer was followed by
breakfast at 8 o'clock, immediately after which
each band set out for the day's work. They re-
turned for their second meal at 5.30 and then gave
me a report of the day's experiences. It was most
refreshing to see their joy over souls that had
become interested. Some of these have been
revisited during term time and we trust there will
be real fruit from the seed thus sown.
This week (May 9-15) we welcome Mr. and Mrs.
Lewis, of Hotsin, who are coming to take over the
local church. For some years we have been pray-
ing for someone for this work. The condition of
the church, with its 1,400 widely scattered members,
has caused us no little sorrow. Many who were
once very earnest have enjoyed material prosperity,
but having lost their first love, have also suffered
spiritual declension and grown cold or fallen into
open sin. ■ Faithful dealing and vigorous discip-
line is urgently needed. We would value prayer
for our friends as they take up this work.
Then we hope soon to welcome Mr. and Mrs. R.
Hogben, of Hsiangcheng, Honan, who are coming to
take charge of the boys' school. This school now
has 84 pupils, and by September over 30 more are
expected. We greatly enjoyed a brief visit from
Dr. and Mrs. F. Howard Taylor recently, whose
messages were very helpful. Fifty boys gave in
their names as having decided to wholly follow the
Lord. Of this number some had been Christians
before but felt their lives had not been satisfactory.
As one looks on such a company of boys and young
men, one feels something of the possibilities they
represent. The Governor of the province has pub-
licly commended the work that this school has done,^
with a view of spurring on the government institu-'
tions. This spring two former pupils will graduate
in medicine at the Shangtung Christian University,
after which they will help in the hospital at Ping-
yangfu.
We look about us and see men in responsible posi-
tions in our own and other Missions, also some in
government employ, as well as in business, whose
education in years gone by was more or less in our
hands, and we thank God for the trust, and afresh
dedicate all we have and are to His work.
The new school plant northeast of this city is
growing steadily. It is being built with funds
generously contributed by Mr. E. M. McBrier, and
will, we hope, be sufficiently ready for the pupils
to move into this autumn. Please pray for Mr. and
Mrs. Hogben in taking up this post.
We regret to say that Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are
leaving Chaocheng. For some years they have
spent almost all the time in the villages among the
people, teaching them God's Word. The work they
have done is invaluable and they will be greatly
AUGUST, 1920
121
missed. They move to Hotsin to relieve Mr. and
Mrs. Lewis.
The Phonetic Script is making progress in many
places, though not as rapidly as expected.
In our undermanned condition the women have
suffered most, for it has been impossible to give
them time. I am thoroughly convinced that China
will never be its best while the mothers of each
generation are ignorant, narrow-minded and super-
stitious. China 'needs, most of all, men of high,
unwavering integrity, and she will not get them so
long as the impressionable years of boyhood are
spent under the influence of ignorant, uncared for,
and even despised women. The Chinese themselves
are realizing this and are now making strenuous
efforts to open girls' schools. Consequently, Chris-
tian girls are in great demand as teachers. In this
connection it is interesting to note that in most of
the reforms which Governor Yen has introduced,
such, for example, as 'regards opium and other
narcotics, foot - binding, infanticide, gambling,
polygamy, early betrothals and early marriages,
early burial, the education of girls, etc., the Chris-
tian church has, from the beginning, both by pre-
cept and example, taken an honorable lead. This
fact is noticed by the people.
THE POWER OF PRAYER
One of our young Christians is engaged as clerk
for a family among the wealthiest of this district.
He was in the habit of singing Christian hymns, but
his master soon put a stop to that by forbidding him
to sing or pray or read the Bible at all ; but later,
when the young man wanted to leave, compromised
by allowing him to read and pray quietly in his own
room.
The master's brother, a man of about sixty years
of age, had the great joy of having an only son born
to him, which he loved exceedingly. Being a mem-
ber of Parliament, the time came when he had to
leave for Peking. It was pathetic to see what it
cost him to leave his child. You can understand,
therefore, the consternation caused when this child
was taken ill with convulsions. The whole family
was astir, and fearing demon possession, soon had
all the renowned witches, exorcists and doctors of
the neighborhood in attendance. All their efforts
proved fruitless.
At last, the nurse came in desperation to this
young Christian to ask what Christians did in such
cases. He replied, "We pray to God in all our
troubles."
The nurse begged him to come and pray for the
child. He replied that having been forbidden by
the master himself to pray anywhere but in his
room, he would not dare to do so.
The nurse rushed to see the master, to secure
permission for him to pray over the child. Under
the circumstances this was readily obtained. So
he prayed for the child, with the result that im-
provement began almost at once, and the child had
a good night. Next morning, it was much better,
and was able to take nourishment. Encouraged by
this, the master called together the Christians of
the village and asked them to pray for the child, and
soon by God's blessing the little one had recovered
completely.
Since then, the master has repeatedly attended the
little gathering for worship held in the village. He
has also made friends with one of the Christians
with whom he had been intimate in former days, but
who had been ostracized by him for becoming a
Christian. Hearing that there was to be a confer-
ence at Chaocheng a few months ago, the master
told the Christian employee to go and testify how
the Lord had answered prayer, and gave him 1,000
cash to pay his expenses.
How Paoning Hospital was Kept Open
By C. C. ELLIOTT, M.D., Szechwan
LAST March, in order to keep the hospital open
until a doctor was forthcoming, Mr. C. Kirk-
patrick agreed to act for a while as superin-
tendent, leaving the actual medical work entirely
in the hands of three Chinese student-helpers who
had been with me for some years. This, of course,
was not an ideal arrangement but an emergency
measure, calling for a good deal of self-abnegation
on his part. Mr. Kirkpatrick writes :
"The statistics for the year just ended are of
more than usual interest as indicating to some
extent the future of medical work in China when
mission hospitals will necessarily be carried on by
foreign-trained Chinese medical men.
"For over nine months of the year this hospital
has been practically under Chinese control, with
only a very light hand on the reins so far as foreign
supervision is concerned.
"During the year 492 in-patients have been re-
ceived into the hospital and over 3,300 out-patients
have been treated in the dispensary. The results
from a medical point of view, the writer is not
competent to judge, but I believe they have been
very satisfactory. Although none of the medical
assistants are fully qualified as yet, they have still
done a good deal of surgical work — 107 operations
under a general anaesthetic and 135 smaller oper-
ations having been performed.
"The evangelistic work has been maintained as
usual. One notable feature is the Sunday School
which has now been carried on by the students and
assistants for several years and which has a fairly
regular attendance from 130 to 150 boys. It is good
to realize that during this time of waiting for a
doctor, the work has not been merely marking time,
but that real work has been done."
The view has often been expressed that our
Chinese graduates, though useful as assistants, will
not be capable of taking sole charge of hospital
work. An experience like that of Mr. Kirkpatrick
at Paoning makes one hopeful that, given foreign
tutelage of the right kind, some at least of these
young men will- be quite able to shoulder such
responsibility.
122
The Call to Medical Advance
By DOUGLAS M. GIBSON, M.B., Kaifeng, Honan
OUR divine Master, Jesus Christ, before He left
this earth, commissioned His disciples to
make more disciples and to make them out of
every nation under heaven. It should be for this
purpose and no other that Christian missionaries
leave home and friends to live and labor in a foreign
land. But while the purpose is single ; the means
of its achievement are many and varied.
In the first missionary era, one means largely
used to convince men and women of the truth of the
apostles' message was the miraculous healing which
often accompanied their preaching. But this first
period of evangelistic activity passed as churches
became established and gradually lost the mission-
ary spirit through love of earthly power and self-
centredness. Those days of apathy to the world's
need of the world's Savior have also gone by and the
modern missionary era has witnessed the penetra-
tion of the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the
earth. This great achievement has been made pos-
sible very largely by the divinely appointed dis-
coveries of modern science without which railways,
steamships, the wonders of present day surgery, the
rapidity of modern printing and so on, would be
still non-existent.
During this period one of the most potent forces
for the opening of new fields to the Gospel and the
opening of hearts to receive its message, has been
and still is the missionary hospital. The reason for
this is not hard to find. For a missionary hospital
provides an absolutely unique evangelistic oppor-
tunity.
In the first place, it draws men and women from
widely scattered, maybe but seldom visited districts,
within sound of the Truth, yea, and within sight of
it also. Further, in many cases it keeps them there
for days, weeks or even months. In the province
of Honan there are 109 counties, and during the year
1919 there were resident in Kaifeng hospital,
patients from no less than 89 of these counties as
well as a considerable number from five neighboring
provinces. Again of the remaining twenty counties,
fifteen were represented during the year on the out-
patient records leaving but five non-represented.
When one reflects that the square area of Honan is
over nine thousand square miles greater than that
of England and Wales, and that many of these
patients come several day's journey to be seen, it is
apparent that the value of the hospital as a dissem-
inating agency for the Truth is not to be ignored.
Numbers of these in-patients reach hospital with
no knowledge of God or only the haziest of notions
concerning Him ; but few go away without an under-
standing of the magnificent salvation offered freely
to all in Jesus Christ. There should be none who
leave without this knowledge and it is the plan and
aim of this hospital that there should be none.
Again, the missionary hospital remembers, as did
the Christ so constantly, that the soul of a man is
within his body. It, therefore, starts by presenting
the Gospel to his body in healing service and finds in
so doing a ready route into his heart. Patients
CHINA'S MILLIONS
frequently remark on the real concern shown them
as individuals by members of the hospital staff.
This continual contact with the practical fruit of
Christianity has an effect that preaching alone can
hardly obtain.
This being so, should not the China Inland Mis-
sion which stands for evangelism, the winning of
heathen and Moslem Chinese to faith in the living
Christ, have a strong and efficient medical corps?
Surely it should.
What then are the facts in the spring of 1920?
In ten great provinces in which the Mission has no
less than 211 stations and 600 foreign workers, it
has only 9 hospitals, and to man these but 11 doctors
actively engaged in hospital work.
Eleven doctors are not enough to adequately staff
nine hospitals ; the existing hospitals in many cases
are not as well equipped as they should be for really
efficient work; and nine hospitals in 211 stations
is a totally inadequate proportion when one realizes
the vast area involved.
Prayer is requested for six more medical men
or women. Should we not rather ask God for
sixty? Three hospitals in each of these ten pro-
vinces with two doctors apiece would in no sense
be too many. And should we not couple on a
request for sixty nurses without. whose aid the doc-
tor is hindered and hampered at every turn and
without whose presence no hospital is worthy of a
name.
Hospital Problems
By JESSIE MCDONALD, M.B., Kaifeng, Honan
E are grateful for your prayers. We are
always under inspection — a hospital full of
people always watching, watching. Every
expression of one's face and every w r ord seems to
be recorded. An impatient look or a hasty word
is not easily forgotten. Oh, what a stock of love
and patience one needs ! This is not natural ; one
gets it only by waiting on the Lord, and in the press
of the multitude it is difficult to find the time.
Our dear nurses and helpers are all Christians
but have not had the advantages we had when
young and are undisciplined, so when one nurse
runs off with a dressing another has prepared and
another fails to clear up after her dressings, voices
are apt to be raised. They may seem little things
but it is in the little things it is so important to
glorify our Lord.
Some of our helpers are apt to be actuated by
their feelings rather than seeking the mind of the
Lord. One helper is very honest and upright but
does not easily get on with other people, so they
are sad or upset. Yet they are the Lord's children
and we love them every one.
Another problem is our furlough time. Miss
Soltau and I have had our furlough granted and no
doctor can be spared to take my place. The work
has become so large that Dr. Guinness and Dr. Gib-
son cannot undertake it in addition to their own. A
Chinese doctor may be found to release Dr. Guinness
for this work as it would indeed be sad to have the
hospital close.
Poor patients, too, are often a real problem, one
w
AUGUST. 1920
123
wonders what our Lord would do for them. Be-
sides the beggars there are many, especially
women, who have not enough, and one longs to help
them. Hospital funds had run very low but the
Lord always seems to come at such a time and sup-
ply our needs. This time the money came from
the wife of the Governor of the province. She is
the mistress of the Yamen, a flighty, brilliantly
dressed lady. She often comes and brings her
friends, who have heard the way of salvation here.
She says she prays, and she came with a gift of
$200, while the Governor's mother, an ardent
idolater, brought in $200, also. Pray that these
ladies may truly believe.
It is four years since we began to train nurses
and oh, the happy change! For some months they
go about in a half dazed condition. As our work
is mostly surgical, the first thing they are taught
is cleanliness, and they boil everything, even the
thermometer ; but they turn out such nice useful
girls. Some of them are quite cultured and attrac-
tive and give lovely messages from their Bibles.
The rate of exchange from the homelands is very
bad but exchange is nothing to the Lord. We have
sometimes wondered how the work could go on. yet
month after month all needs have been met ; both
our own needs and the needs of the hospital.
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the home
folk and dear prayer partners, but would not want
to stay at home. The pathetic pleading look on the
faces of the poor women is a constant appeal. They
hunger for something, they know not what. Such
are these without the Gospel.
"Whatsoever Thy Hand Findeth to Do"
By Mrs. ROBERT W. PORTEOUS. Yuanchow, Kiangsi
DURING October, Mr. Porteous was out with
Mr. Hsieh, the revival evangelist from
Anhwei. They visited nine of the outstations,
having several days' preaching in the different
places and we believe many were helped to a desire
to forsake sin and follow the Savior more worthily.
It is a long time since I began this letter. Mr.
Porteous has been away a good deal. When he is
away I have to be a sort of "Jack of all trades."
Certainly, in one sense, I can't say "this one thing
I do !" though I trust the spirit and aim of it is that.
As I am housekeeper, there is the ordering of the
meals and then the seeing to the orders being
carried out, for our servants are experts in doing
those things which they ought not to have done and
leaving undone those things which they ought to
have done. Then there are all sorts of interviews.
The evangelist comes in about some matter in con-
nection with the work which must be talked over
and prayed over ; then some of the Christians come
in for help and advice ; letters come from the out-
stations needing attention; women come in to have
a look at the foreigners and their house, which gives
an opportunity to tell the Gospel ; some one wants
to buy a hymn book, another a Bible ; the cook
comes for money for a load of rice or coal ; a young
Christian widow comes and wants our help because
her mother-in-law wants her to marry a heathen
and she wants us to find a Christian husband for
her ! Another old Christian woman comes to tell
us her husband, who is a member here, is just about
to be baptized in the river by the Seventh Day
Adventists. She came to Mrs. Lawson and asked
if she should go and hold on to his clothes to keep
him from going in! The advice was in the nega-
tive ! Then there are, of course, classes and meet-
ings to prepare for and take and letters to write
and that brings me back to where I started. A
rather lengthy apology !
We have just finished our annual gathering for
women, _ which lasted five days. We had not as
many as usual, owing to the cold weather and
traveling being expensive. We had only twenty-
four staying here and nine children.
The preparations for these women are simple.
The school room is turned into a dining-room ; the
girls' tables are put two and two together to make
dining tables ; the girls' dining-room is turned into
a bedroom; boards are put on benches, then straw,
and then a straw mat and the bed is made. Each
one brings her own wadded quilt for covering.
The women were all bright and cheerful in spite
of the cold. They all seemed united and friendly.
Sometimes there have been little petty disagree-
ments, and some gossip, but this year the women
seemed to be busy learning hymns and Bible verses
during the intervals.
On Saturday five women and one man were
baptized. The weather turned so cold that we
asked the women if they would not rather wait till
warmer weather, for Chinese are so afraid of cold
water. They all emphatically said they would not
be afraid and did not want to wait. Those of us
who have been in China realize how brave it was of
them. Of course, none of them took any harm.
Four of the women were wives of Christians.
The other has been persecuted by her husband — a
heathen — for coming to our meetings. He has
beaten and scolded her but she has still kept on
coming. At one time she seemed to have "a
familiar spirit" who seemed to talk to her from her
right shoulder, but now she is free from it. we
believe. She did not realize it was wrong but we
told her to ask the Lord to deliver her from it and
He has done so. Pray for her.
The leading member at an outstation, Mr. Iang,
was upset because Mr. Porteous did not help him
with a law case. He declared he was going to
take his daughter, Evangel, away from the school ;
but we simply kept her until the holidays began.
Ever since Mr. Iang commenced acting like, this the
members and inquirers at his place stopped coming
to the hall and there were no services. We could
only pray about it. Mr. Iang has sent us word that
we need not come there any more.
When invitations were sent out for the men's
gathering here Mr. Porteous included this out-
station as usual, not knowing of course if anyone
would respond. But four members and five or six
inquirers came, of whom four applied for baptism
and were accepted. They told us that for two Sun-
days they had had meetings, led by Evangel as none
of the men were able to lead. She is a good Chris-
tian girl and while we would never have asked her
CHINA'S MILLIONS
to lead a meeting we could not but say in our hearts,
"Bravo, Evangel!"
Last Sunday, our evangelist and his son were at
this outstation and had a grand time. Mr. Iang was
present at the services and is ashamed of himself.
Evangel is very anxious to come back to school, but
her father thinks he cannot pay for her board. Her
example in the school is so good that we are think-
ing of sending word to her to come anyway. Please
pray for her, for her parents and for the church at
this outstation.
"After Many Days"
By Mrs. H. N. LACHLAN, Shanghai
SHANGHAI I find more crowded than ever, and
with many new buildings. There' are two
large Chinese "Woolworth" stores, just
opposite each other. These sell all manner of
foreign goods and are just the places that the
Chinese would frequent, but as they are dealing
with the Japanese, they are being shunned by the
students. The feeling against the Japanese is still
strong.
I am having many visits from Chinese as they
get to know I am here and it is good to find some of
them more earnest than formerly. One dear
woman that I had with me over thirty years ago,
and have always kept up with, came to see me, and
on leaving, put ten dollars in my hand saying, "I
have received much blessing through the China
Inland Mission and want to give a small thank
offering." This meant a good deal from her. She
has not much to give away.
Another Chinese lady came the Sunday after my
arrival. She threw her arms around me, saying,
"Oh, praise the Lord ! I want to tell you what He
has done. Do you remember how we prayed for
my husband and I brought him to see you and you
exhorted him to come to the Sunday service and
listen to the doctrine? Well, some time after you
left he studied the Bible and found that this was
what his heart needed, a Savior who could forgive
his sins and give him peace. He believed and was
baptized. (He was a teacher.) Often he had
doubts, especially when he'became ill and was weak,
but I kept on praying for him. One day as I prayed
I had a vision, and saw my husband vainly trying
to climb a very steep hill and a man doing his best
to trip him up. Just then he called to me, 'Oh, it's
dark, pray for me.' So I just got down on my
knees and cried to the Lord Jesus ; and as I prayed
I saw my husband still trying to climb the hill,
then all at once it became so bright ! The hill lit
up and I saw two hands stretch down and lift him
right on to the top. And as I looked I saw One so
beautiful ! and He smiled on me. I wanted to thank
Him, when my husband called out, 'It is bright now,
and Jesus has come. He has smiled upon me, He is
calling me, I am going to Him, I am happy, happy!'
and so he passed over the river. Was it not good of
God to give me this vision?" Then she went on,
"I have more good news, my son is also a Chris-
tian, and my daughter too. So we shall all meet
in heaven." Then I had to hear of the way the
Lord had been helping her in her work at the
"Door of Hope." Her heart was just full of praise
to God.
Another of my old pupils of thirty-four years ago,
came bringing her new grandchild that had been
born while I was at home. She, too, is full of
gratitude to God for letting her son come back from
France where he had been for over three years, and
she tells me her eldest son has been married during
my absence.
So they come, one after another, with all the
family news and it makes one feel glad to be among
them again.
Last Friday I paid my first visit to the "Door of
Hope" and it was good to see progress here, too. A
nice large new chapel has been built in memory of
Miss Bonnell, and it seats over four hundred.
The Nanking road is quite a sight in the evening,
a blaze of electric light, whole shop fronts with
signs, characters, etc., in various colors, and the
streets full of trams, motors, carriages and ricshas,
the latter not very safe sometimes, but I always try
to make my men go slowly.
A LITTLE VISIT TO YANGCHOW.
Having an invitation from Miss Murray, and our
numbers in the Shanghai compound having de-
creased, I left one Friday morning for a few days
visit to Yangchow.
At the Training Home we had a very warm
welcome from Miss Murray, Miss Cole, Mrs. King,
and all the twenty-four young sisters whom we
AUGUST. 1920
have had the joy of welcoming to China this spring.
The Home at Yangchow is a large comfortable
place, with wide corridors and verandah, and a
lovely garden. The narcissi were out in blossom,
and the peach trees quite a sight ! Saturday Being
a holiday we were able to see a good deal of the
students, and I was glad to see how well they all
were, and so happy! On Sunday afternoon I had
the pleasure of speaking to all the dear young
sisters, and it was good to see such a large party all
fresh and eager to begin their work among the
Chinese.
We saw Misses Clough, King and Lajus. Miss
Clough has a very well-managed school, and I saw
the girls I am specially interested in. Ta-hsing
looks well ; she is remaining until there is an open-
ing for her to go into hospital to train as a nurse.
I also saw Miss Palmer's girl Katie, who has grown
a nice girl, and is a diligent worker.
On Tuesday I went over to the South Gate to see
Wang Lan-iu, the blind evangelist, who was delight-
ed at my coming and I was glad to meet him again,
and his sweet little wife and child. The little girl
■ and a half
1, in English,
,nd she sang
tien we were
been busy
tin
is a pretty, dainty little mite
who looked up shyly in my fac<
"Grandma." I took her on m
to me sweetly. Lan-iu was m
here over four years ago, an
serving the Lord' since then. He is now compiling
a music book for the blind.
Wednesday we had a Chinese feast at Dr. Chang's.
which lasted nearly three hours. Then I had a long
talk with him about the days when he was a boy.
and about his mother, wdio was such a dear woman
doctor. His hospital is crowded with patients rich
and poor, and he is kept very busy. As soon as he
had started to eat, a card was sent in. and he had to
attend to this, then another messenger came and he
got a pen and hastily wrote out a prescription.
He began to say how he tried to tell the people
about Jesus but was wondering if it was any use.
After a long talk he said, "Yes, I see, it is of use,
and 1 will go on even if I see no result."
Will you remember this busy doctor? also his
wife, who is an earnest Christian, one of my old
school girls? She has seven sons and two daugh-
ters and just lately lost the third girl, and the little
one is very delicate.
"Sea of Literature" the Son of Laborer Lee
By Mr. ROBERT GILLIES, Shansi
JEROBOAM, the son of Nebat, who made Israel
to sin" — not a very attractive text, but I shall
never think of Jeroboam without recalling
"Sea of Literature," the son of Laborer Lee.
Would you like to hear the story?
Well ! We were repairing the boys' school at
Hotsin. There was mud everywhere ; men puddling
mud, slashing mud on to the roof, and daubing it on
the walls. The tidy little school court had become
a chaos of mud, and I, the pastor, mud-bespattered,
stood in the midst perplexed. When, oh when,
would the school reappear; enlarged and clean, and
the rooms once more be rilled with bright happy
boys shouting their lessons lustily?
Just then, in among the dirty workmen, I espied
as pretty a little boy as I had seen in China. He
was clean and tidy too, in spite of his immediate
surroundings. Of course he was just a little shy.
Who would not be? He had never before been
confronted by a foreign "demon," who asked his
age, his name, about his home, and how he had
found his way into the forbidden precincts of the
"Dayspring Academy."
A few minutes later my wife was feeding five-
year-old "Sea of Literature" with cake and showing
him pictures in our sitting-room. His father and
mother were "on tramp." They had dragged the
little boy several hundred miles seeking work and
a home, for famine had driven them far from their
old home in Chihli.
Day by day the school room took form, and con-
"Sea's" father and his mates trotted
ind fro with their heavy baskets full of brick
and lime.
Then the time came when "Sea's" mother regular-
ly took her place in the class where other women
learned laboriously to sing "Jesus loves me," and,
although she wore garments of a fashion not correct
in Hotsin and her accent betrayed her as an out-
sider, still the old dames spoke of her as a sister,
which meant they considered her as one of them-
selves.
They lived in a cottage belonging to the church.
The father worked as usual, but "Sea of Literature"
with his round face beaming had a seat in the
tusion pa
126
CHINA'S MILLIONS
kindergarten, and with the other boys went to
church and Sunday School. The Sunday School
lessons were on the Kings of Israel that term, and
kind friends had sent us fine picture cards with
texts in Chinese.
Tears flowed fast. He was in great and unwont-
ed distress, billows covered the face of the "Sea."
Father coming home from his work was amazed
and distressed.
"Has teacher beaten you? Has some boy hit
vou ? You won't go to school again if they have.
Did vou fall?"
"No ! No ! No ! Oh ! Oh ! I-have-lost-my-Je-lo-bo-
an."
Father opened his mouth, and he opened his eyes.
Never had his ears heard that combination of
sounds. "Je-lo-bo-an," he said. "What on earth
is it? Can you eat it? Or do you wear it?"
"No, no, no. It is my Je-lo-bo-an."
"Mother! what is the matter with the boy?"
"I do not know. He says he has lost something,
but what it is nobody knows. No decent Chinaman
ever heard of such a thing. I will run across and
ask Mrs. Kwoh if she ever heard of the foreigners
having Je-lo-bo-ans, and what they are for, or
where he got it."
Soon the mystery was explained. The picture
was 'found. Father, mother and neighbors were
introduced to the son of Nebat, and knowing nothing
of his character decided he was good to look at in
his purple and gold !
A thought struck this poor illiterate coolie — and
it was an answer to somebody's prayer — the mis-
sionaries are good to take all this trouble to teach
my little boy, I must learn what I can myself, too,
about Jesus. And he did.
A couple of years later, father and mother Avere
both baptized, and both have proved good Chris-
tians.
"Sea of Literature" was about fourteen when the
Lord called him to the prepared mansions. He died
like a Christian, and he had lived a bright little life,
bringing happiness to many as well as having been
used to bring his parents to the knowledge of Christ.
In the last days of his illness he spoke clearly of
the Home to which he was going, and earnestly
exhorted those around him to give themselves to
Christ.
Each time we think of the Lee family we cannot
but recall how the Spirit of God used the Jeroboam
incident as an important link in bringing them all to
Christ.
Here and There
Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Bailer having
returned to Chjna will be taking up
residence at Wuhu, Anhwei, where
Mr. Bailer will continue his literary
work, probably revising his primer
and dictionary, besides translating de-
votional books which will be a help
to the Chinese church.
With the departure of Mr. and Mrs.
A. W. Lagerquist for furlough in
North America, the entire Mission
plant at Laohokow, Hupeh, where
they have worked for many years
past, has been sold to the Norwegian
Lutheran Mission, which has a large
work there and in the surrounding
district. The two young ladies, Miss
Ruby V. Thompson and Miss Ida E.
Wilson, who were engaged in school
work at Laohokow, have been trans-
ferred to Fengsiangfu, across the
border in the neighboring province
of Shensi, where they will be engaged
in similar work in this station, which
is under the charge of Mr. and Mrs.
C. H. Stevens.
Mr. and Mrs. James Stark, of
Shanghai, have been paying a short
visit to North America on their way
to England, stopping briefly at Van-
couver, Toronto, Philadelphia and
other places.
Mrs. Robert Gillies and Miss Eva
McCarthy were both engaged for
speaking at meetings in Vancouver
before their sailing for China. Other
deputation work has been done by
Mrs. G. Cecil-Smith at Keewahdin and
Erieside Conferences. Rev. F. A.
Steven was also present at the latter
gathering.
Miss Ruth Smith, whose health has
improved somewhat since she went
under a surgical operation for ap-
pendicitis and received other treat-
ment from Dr. Jackson at Shanghai,
has found the climate in Chekiang
rather trying, and hence in accord-
ance with medical advice she has been
transferred to Luanfu, Shansi, which
is bracing and healthful.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cook and
child arrived at Shanghai in May and
were shortly returning to western
Szechwan, where they will take
charge of Pengshanhsien station.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Moore, who
with their youngest child arrived in
Shanghai March 23rd, after complet-
ing their furlough at Chefoo with
their children, plan to return thence
to Kansu in the autumn.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham Anderson
have been transferred from Chao-
cheng, Shansi, to Hotsin of the same
province; Air. and Mrs. A. B. Lewis,
who were formerly at Hotsin, have
been transferred to Hungtung to take
part in school work at this centre,
presided over by Mr. F. C. H. Dreyer.
On the 8th of May there arrived
in China Dr. and Mrs. R. N. Walker
from England, who may be consider-
ed the first fruits of many earnest
prayers for "at least six new medical
ARRIVALS
July 19, 1920, at Vancouver, Mr. and
Mrs. J. Stark, Miss J. G. Gregg, Miss
F. Cole and Miss E. O. Trench, from
DEPARTURES.
July 30, 1920, from Montreal, Miss
J. G. Gregg, Miss F. Cole and Miss
E. O. Trench, for England.
August 11th, from Quebec, Mr. and
Mrs. J. Stark, for England.
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Pray that the great opportunity
which the new phonetic script gives
of spreading the Gospel in China may
be "handled with wisdom" directed
by the Spirit of God (page 118).
Pray for those who are learning
the phonetic script that the Spirit
may always be present to make the
W T ord fruitful as in the incidents re-
lated (p. 118).
Praise God for the opportunity
which the phonetic script gives and
for the results already shown (p. 118).
Pray that the good' seed sown in
sorrowing hearts may bring a harvest
(p. 119).
Thank God for the encouraging re-
port of the Shansi Bible Institute but
ask for more workers and for
strength and blessing upon those
already at Hungtung (pp. 120-121).
Shall we not bring before God re-
quests for more medical workers?
Shall we ask for six or sixty? And
should there not be as many nurses
as doctors? (p. 122).
Pray for hospital workers — the
helpers and nurses as well as doctors
(p. 122).
Thank God for the ability of young
Chinese medical men to continue
hospital and Sunday School work
with little foreign supervision (p. 123).
Remember the busy lives of mis-
sionaries and their distracting circum-
stances (pp. 123-124).
Pray for the school girl, Evangel (p.
124).
Thank God for the fruit of work
seen "after many days" (p. 124), also
remember Lan-iu and Doctor Chang
(p. 125).
Pray for our China Secretary and
others on furlough (p. 127).
AUGUST. 1920
127
Editorial Notes
IT has been a pleasure to receive at various centres
in Canada and the United States, Rev. James
Stark, the Mission's Secretary at Shanghai, who
with Mrs. Stark has made a brief visit to North
America on the way to England for furlough.
Those who are familiar with Mr. Stark's communi-
cations which we print regularly under the title of
"Our Shanghai Letter" will undoubtedly feel a per-
sonal interest in his visit to this continent, and while
missing his letters in months to come will no doubt
prayerfully remember him, asking God's blessing
upon him and his wife throughout their furlough.
Friends of the Mission, desirous of interesting
others in the work in China, often appeal to our
offices for something about the China Inland Mis-
sion that may serve the purpose of a possible
"entering wedge" for missionary interest and at the
same time be an acceptable presentation booklet.
Such we think has been furnished in the attractive,
slender volume prepared by our Editorial Secretary
in England, using the salient incidents of the Mis-
sion's rise and growth as spiritual lessons for God's
people. This booklet is entitled, "Selling all to Buy
the Field," and is now procurable at our offices on
this side of the Atlantic as noted on the back cover
of this number.
Similar to the demand for a Mission brochure for
adults has been the call for a brief story of the life
of Hudson Taylor adapted to young people. Again,
Mr. Marshall Broomhall has undertaken to meet a
distinct need by the preparation of a biographical
sketch of Mr. Taylor bearing the sub-title, "The
Man Who Dared." The striking scene depicted in
colors on the cover, together with the well drawn
illustrations within, should make this a book of
ready welcome to boys and girls. We regret that
printing expenses and duty charges bring the price
of the little book to half a dollar on this side of the
Atlantic ; but we hope, nevertheless, that the Lord
will bless it to many readers, and that it will instil,
in the young, incentives and aims which will be
guided and used by the Holy Spirit.
Some suggestions regarding the contents of this
periodical have come from members of our Mission
out on the field. One thinks a little more informa-
tion about the geography of China would be helpful
to readers ; another believes that a series of short
biographical sketches of missionary leaders of vari-
ous lands would be desirable. Again, we have been
criticized for not oftener printing sequels to the
stories of Chinese Christians. From somewhere it
has been hinted that more bits for children would
be acceptable. As to the last, let us say in passing
that missionary matter is so largely weighted with
responsibility or shadowed by the heathen over-
growth that bright and interesting bits are not
always easy to find. But what do the readers of
China's Millions desire in these pages? We cannot
promise to fulfil all expressions, but suggestions
would be welcome and criticisms humbly accepted.
Gifts for special purposes in China are supposed
to be acknowledged not only by our home offices
but by the missionaries on the field who finally see
this money applied to the special work or given
toward the support of a particular school child,
biblewoman or evangelist, as the case may be.
Usually — perhaps not always, since some mission-
aries are not good letter writers — the acknowledg-
ment from China gives some account of the work
as related to the gift or such information as the mis-
sionary may think would be interesting. And often
it is just there that the correspondence ends. The
friend who gives may repeat his gift without think-
ing of writing to the worker in China, and the
worker finds it hard to respond without saying the
same things over. It is "so difficult to write one-
sided letters," says a lady missionary in extenuation
of her lack of correspondence. x\nother expresses
the wish that the friends who give would ask ques-
tions ; and another, confessing she finds it hard to
know what to tell people who are names rather than
realities, says plaintively, "I do wish donors felt
they had a duty to reply to our letters, if it is
nothing more than a postal." We wonder if our
generous friends realize how much their gifts
would be enhanced if the giving hand could be felt
— through a letter.
"Oh how love I Thy law!" (Psalm 119:97). We
have a feeling that law is not to be loved, yet in
every phase of life apart from the moral and
spiritual, men are seeking assiduously not to avoid
laws but to find them in order that they may de-
votedly observe and follow them. The musician
loves the laws of harmony, the artist loves the laws
of composition and color, the scientist loves to dis-
cover the laws of nature, so, too, the business man
loves to develop the laws of efficiency and the ways
of profit. But strangely enough, knowledge of
God's laws, regarding things eternal, fails to delight
the natural heart of man. Rather does man choose
to meet the unknown future with ungrounded
theories or fancies of his own, than accept the
Creator's revelation of His beneficent law. How
pitiable is the folly of those who will not listen to
Him who says, "Learn of Me," to Him who came
not to destroy the law "but to fulfil." who is Himself
"the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth!" Lack of law is weakness; con-
formity to it is strength. Ignorance or antagonism
makes law a terror ; knowledge and obedience
makes it a comfort. Unaccustomed observance of
law is irksome ; perfect adaptation to it is joy. It
is only to a regenerate people that God can say, "I
will put My laws in their hearts" — not in statute
books but in their affection. While our justification
is "not by the deeds of the law" yet God's law is
not abrogated, it remains, the essential requirement
of His eternal Kingdom. It is not to be disdained;
it is to be loved. His Kingdom can contain only
loyal subjects, those who accept His law from the
heart, those who will to do His will, those in whom
He can work to will and to do of His good pleasure.
"Great peace have they which love Thy law: and
nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165).
CHINAS MILLIONS
SELLING ALL
TO BUY THE FIELD
OR PRAYER AND THE CHINA INLAND MISSION
By MARSHALL BROOMHALL, M.A.
Forty-eight pages, bound in stiff paper, with pictorial cover,
a booklet suitable for presentation. Price 20c, postpaid,
at either office of the Mission.
A "very brief sketch" of the work of the China Inland Mission "out-
lining a few of the more important and salient features, to catch something
of the spirit of prayer and consecration which characterized the founder
and pioneers," and aiming to be "a testimony as to how, in the history
of one organization, God has shown Himself the Rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him."
HUDSON TAYLOR
THE MAN WHO DARED
TOLD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
By MARSHALL BROOMHALL. M.A.
Seventy pages, bound in boards, with striking pictorial cover
in colors, illustrative end papers and four full page illustra-
tions within. Price 50c, postpaid, from either Mission office.
This story of Hudson Taylor is designed for young people, and is
presented in very attractive form. It is necessarily brief but brings for-
ward incidents which are likely to appeal to young people, especially
boys. As the author says, "Through reading books some men have
become travelers, others have become great scientists, and some have
become missionaries.. I wonder if the reading of this will make you
want to do anything for China."
THE STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION
Thirty-six pages,
The above book is for praying friends of the Missi.
C.I.M. It is a little book of reference which should be
situation of each station both geographically and as a wc
follow the work done on the field.
AN AID TO INTELLIGENT PRAYER
strong paper cover, and including a map of China. Price 15c, postpaid, i
i who desire to know something about the stations mannec
n the hands of everyone who reads "China's Millions" i
king centre. It is not for those being introduced to the Mi
either office of the Mission.
1 by English-speaking members of the
ind desires to have clearly in mind the
ssion but for those who are striving to
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, JULY, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
SPECIAL PURPOSES
1—837 Int . . $ 95 . 63
846
1
00
6—851 Int..
852
36
25
mi
00
853
50
(10
854
25
(III
855
10
00
862
16
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7—863
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CHINA MILLIONS is 75c. Per Year
(since July 1st, 1920)
This advance has been made necessary
by the greatly increased cost of printing.
TORONTO
MISSIONARY AND
GENKRAL PURPOSES
Date No. Amount
13—800. .
14— *04. .
15—806. .
■'■-.
nt
mi
5
mi
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Date No.
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6—747 . .
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83.81
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756..
36.00
757. .
20 . 00
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760. .
25.00
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1 . 00
8—769 . .
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9—774 . .
10.05
785..
150.00
786. .
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From Phil-.uk Iphi..
SUMMARY
From Toronto — ■
For Missionary and General Purposes. .
For Special Purposes
Previously acknowledged, 1920. .
1
EBENEZER
VOL. XXVI1II. No. 9 THE ORGAN OF THF CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILUONS
nteredal .econd-clasi matter. December 12. 1917. at the post office at ttuflalo, N.Y., under the Act of CongreM of
/larch 3. 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of P *,t,ge p. 103, Act of October 3. 1917.
authorized July 18. 1910
MISSION OFFICES TORONTO MISSION OFFICES
GERMANTOWN cCDTEMDrD i oo« 507 CHURCH ST
PHILADELPHIA. PA 3trltIVlBtK, 19ZU TORONTO. ONT
Faith's Final Authority— By H. W. Frost. 131 Petitions to God more Effectual than
■In Everything— with Thanks" 133 Petitions to Men— By Miss R. J. Pem-
A Progressive Chinese Governor— By berton 140
Mr.F.C.H.Dreyer.... 135 TaE v ENBD RocK-By Rev. C. Fairclough. 141
\y Mr. A.Jennings..** 1 . ". . . 137 0uR Shanghai Letter— By Mr. G. W. Gibb 142
The Fear of God and the Fear of Man— Editorial Notes 143
By Mr. C. H. Stevens. . 138
Abstract of China Aciolnis, Mild 144
Work in Kiating and Surrounding
Country— By Mrs. B. Ririe 130 Do
* (OF CIGARETTES) 1
Photograph by Mr. Robert Powell
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI, CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Council for North America
Philadelphia, Pa.
Roger B. Whittlesey, Secretary-Treasurer
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer.
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N.J.
Rev. Fred W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Rev. Joseph T. Kelley, D.D., Washington, D.C.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitations of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the
1920, cor
luding wiv
isted
i in Jar
1,081 :
>nd Associate
nembers).
There are also over 3,400 native helpers,
some of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,800 stations and
outstations have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,531 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 52,400 communicants.
Since 1865, over 77,000 converts have been
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane. Philadelphia
507 Church Street, Toronto,
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street. Toronto. Ont
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
NOTE.— Postage to all C I.M. stations
v five cents per ounce from Canada. The i
onation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
-hina, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
)e understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
e it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad,
it for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
or the private use of that individual.
FORM OF BEQUEST— 1
unto the China Inland Mis ion
FORM OF DEVISE— I give and de>iseui to the
China Inland Mission <see note), all that certain here
to be expended for the appro-
priate objects , f said Mission;
and 1 direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
sion shall be a sufficient dis-
NOTE-ln case the will is made out in
the United States, the following words
Phlladelphia^ennsylvania"" ° Incase
the will is made out in Canada, the fol-
lowing words need to be inserted : "hav-
ing offices at Toronto. Ontario."
in fee simple, for the use. bene-
fit and behalf of said Mission
forever; and direct that the re-
lease of the Home Director of
said Mission shall bea sufficient
discharge to my executors in
the premises.
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows :
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. WEEKLY
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane . . .
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic Citvi.
a Res., Mr ; Fv H. Neale, C.I.M. Representative, 6506 Ventnor Ave. Friday 3.30 p.m
Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Mon. Afternoon
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home. 507 Church St
Vancouver, B.C.
Res.. Rev. Chas. Thomson. C.I.M. Representative. 1936
Keefer St
Bible Training School. 35h Broadway VV 2nd Frii . .
West Vancouver. Union Church 3rd Tuesday. . . .8.00 p.m.
Y.W.C.A.. Dunsmuir St last Wednesday 3.00 p.m.
. .Friday 8.00 p
d Friday 8.00 pro
Albany, N.Y., Bible School
Buffalo, N.Y., Res.. Miss Q
Lockport, N.Y., Res., Mrs.
2 East Uti
. ,..
, St. .
aughton, 4223 Cedar Ave 1-t Monday
n. 1 14 Stanford Ave 3rd Friday 8 00 p.m
Grand Rapids, Mich., Wealthy St. Bap. Church. .Thurs. preceding 1st Sunday 8.00 p.m
Pontiac, Mich., Res., Mrs Robt Garner, 90 Oakland Ave. . .1st Friday 7. 30 p.m
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Chi. r.-h. Sec. Mrs. Ld. J. Lee . .2nd Thursday. .
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch., 23rd f
8th St Thurs. after 1st. Sunday.
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Chun'
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. .'
. .Wed. after 1st Sunday.
l. Allen. 949 No. Normandie
2nd Monday 7 45 p.n
'. 2518 Dana St 1st Thursday 8 00 p.rr
Sherwood, Ore., Res , Dr Fosner 1st Tuesday 2.30 p.rr
Seattle. Wash.. Res.. Mr. O. G. Whinnle. lSIfi 3Sth Ave. N. 2nd Tuesday S.00 p.m
Bellingham, Wash., Alternately at Y.W.C.A. and Res., Mr.
F. M. Mercer. 2132 Walnut St 2nd Monday S.00 p. re
Berkeley, Cal., Res.. Mrs. Rakestr;
L. Fenerty,
2nd Monday 3.15 p.m.
icKay St.. .1st Monday 4.00 p.m.
Ottawa. Ont., At Y.W.C.A. Chairman, Comd'r. Stephens,
99, Acacia Ave 2nd Friday
Halifax, N.S., At v
Armdale ....
Montreal, Que., Res..
8 00 p.n
3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m
Hamilton, Ont., Caroline St. Mission (Rev. I. S. Pritchard.
Supt.) 1st V, ednesday.
Niagara Falls, Ont., Gospel Tabernacle. Tern.'
-■. Mission (Rev.
l. Steven, C.I.M. Representati
London, Ont., Res.. Rev. F. /
598 Princess Ave
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. George E. Pegg 1
Bolsover. Ont., At various homes. Sec, Miss A. M. McRae,
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont 1
Winnipeg, Man., Res., Mrs. VV. R. Mulock, 557 Wellington
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO SEPTEMBER, 1920
Faith's Final Authority
By H. W. FROST
IT is commonly 'acknowledged that these are days
of intense and immense unsettlement. The
foundation of things is being shaken and almost
destroyed, and the cry is going up, "What can the
righteous do?" The time has come when men's
hearts are failing them for fear, not knowing what
the future will bring forth. What yesterday was
certain, to-day is doubted and to-morrow will be
disbelieved. The question is, What will remain?
and, If there is certainty, where may it be found?
Moreover, this unsettlement and consequent dis-
quiet exists amongst all classes of persons and in all
the various relationships of life. Secular and reli-
gious periodicals indicate that the human mind is in
a state of actual ferment, and this in respect to
nearly every subject under the sun. Is monarchy or
democracy the ideal government ? Granting that
democracy is the ideal, is it to be limited or
unlimited? ' Is the proposed League of Nations
from heaven and a gift from God, or is it from the
pit and the work of Satan? Is the world getting
better or worse? Is man immortal or only mortal?
Is communion with the dead possible, and, if it is,
is it lawful? Is Christ's coming premillennial, post-
millennial or nonmillennial? What part is the
Christian to play in politics? is he to abandon him-
self to them in the hope of saving the world, or is
he to stand off from them as from a hopeless and
contaminating task, giving himself to prayer and
evangelization? What fellowship is a Christian to
have with those who are not Christians, or with
those who are, but are not true to Christ and His
Word? What social pleasures are allowable? How
is the Sabbath to be kept? What principles are to
govern parents in the bringing up of their children?
What is prayer? is it objective or simply subjec-
tive? What is the Word? is it inspired in whole, in
part or not at all? What is salvation? is it to be
obtained through service, suffering or sacrifice?
and, if by sacrifice, by whose, one's own or Christ's?
And who is Christ? is He just man or is He also
God? If He is only man, what can He do for men,
or, if he is also God, what does He require of men?
And so the questions come in like a flood, from
paper and magazine, from pew and pulpit, from
quibbling minds and also from broken hearts. Some
of us had thought that most of these matters had
been settled long ago and that the issue of things
had resolved itself simply into this: belief or un-
belief. But we suddenly find that everything is
once more in the melting pot ; that serious-minded
men and women are questioning realities ; and that
even Christians are demanding new solutions of
old-time problems. We perceive, therefore, that
every teacher of men is called upon to exercise
infinite patience and to be ready to build again from
the bottom upward ; and, moreover, probably the
teacher has problems of his own, which many years
and much prayerful thinking have failed to solve.
It is a time of mental and spiritual disorder in every
sphere of life and in every part of the world.
And what makes the situation worse to many is
that there seems to be no final court of appeal,
especially in spiritual affairs, where cases may be
argued and where just and final decisions may be
obtained. There is a feeling that such a court
should and must exist somewhere ; but the question
is, Where is it? So men conclude that herein is
presented the greatest problem of all. They declare
that there are many voices in the world, each differ-
ing from the other, and no one knows which one
is most divine. Confusion is thus turned into what
may only be described by Milton's phrase :
"With ruin upon ruin, rout upon rout,
Confusion worse confounded."
And we have the spectacle thus of men stumbling
forward in the dark, with their arms outstretched.
They need a guiding hand, but they fail to find it.
What, then, shall they do?
In this crisis, some say that we should turn to the
pope. But if so, which one? Accepting Peter, for
the moment, as the first pope, are we to test all the
others by him, and if we are, what will be left of
the others? But if we are not, which of the later-
day popes are we to reckon as having spoken ex
cathedra/ This last is most perplexing, for there
have been many popes, each one with a different
dictum ; twice over at the same time there have been
two popes, each opposing the other ; again and again
a later-day pope has contradicted a former-day one,
so that the benediction of the one has become the
malediction of the other ; and even the doctrine of
papal infallibility, which one must accept if one
turns to the Roman curia, was condemned as heresy
by the popes themselves up to the time of Pius the
Ninth, and by a large number of the cardinals even
then ; and to this day the theologians at Rome are
not agreed as to what papal infallibility means.
Tested by the necessary laws of harmony and
unanimity we shall not find final authority with the
popes.
But others say that we should turn to the church.
If so, which church ? Shall it be the Roman, Greek,
Armenian, Syrian, Nestorian, or Coptic? For,
mark it, it will have to be a choice between these
since they do not agree with one another even in
things fundamental. Or, if we shall turn away
from the historic churches to the reformed, where
132
CHINA'S MILLIONS
fundamental agreement is found, which Protestant
church shall it be? Shall it be the Church of
England, Church of Scotland, Episcopal, Reformed
Episcopal, Lutheran. Moravian. Presbyterian. Re-
formed Presbyterian, Congregational, Baptist,
Methodist or the Salvation .Army? For, mark it,
again, while these agree in essentials, they vastly
disagree in nonessentials, which with the conscien-
tious man are often tremendously vital. Or shall
we make another effort and turn to the apostolic,
simple and devoted people, the Plymouth Brethren?
But to which party among these shall we go ; the
close, open .or loose ; the Darbyites, Newtonites,
Cecilites, Ravenites, or Grantites? for we must
differentiate even here. Alas! it is manifest that
we shall not find union and unanimity even in the
church, historic or reformed ; and this is certain,
that we shall never get the harmonious note of
authority from Scriptural and spiritual discord.
But still others say that we should seek to hear
the authoritative word outside of organized ecclesi-
asticism, in that great consensus of opinion ex-
pressed by individuals through the ages and
brought into full expression in these last days of
grace. But can we place this consensus? Do any
two men interpret and formulate it alike? Is it
possible from book or sermon to define and express
it? Even where it may be partly vocalized, is it
clear, comprehensive and final? For instance, was
the consensus-voice in apostolic days the same as
it was in mediaeval? and was it then what it is now.
since men have been to war and slain the great
dragon?
Moreover, what is this consensus which is so
much talked about? is it a person or thing? is it
living or dead? is it truth or shibboleth? is it
divine or human? If it proves at last to be just
human, then evidently we are back where we were
at the beginning, and in this case we are in the grip
of the greatest religious mastodon of the ages, the
(/ants homo, that is, our fallible selves. And, clearly,
no one can hope that final spiritual authority will
come out of a condition such as this. In short, if
we may not go farther than we have gone, we shall
find no final authority anywhere, and hence, we
shall remain of all men the most miserable.
It is a relief now to turn away from such uncer-
tainties, which are but vagaries, to a nearer, surer
and more soul-satisfying consideration. There is a
Book which claims to be divinely authoritative, and
we may affirm that there are facts about it which
substantiate this claim, among which are the fol-
lowing:
First, it is an old Book, all of it old and some of
it very old, and no neglect, nor hatred, nor persecu-
tion, has ever been able to destroy it ; which sug-
gests that God fashioned it and has preserved it.
Second, the Book has proved to be a regenerating,
transforming and comforting influence, through
thousands of years, with millions of persons and in
behalf of individuals of diverse characteristics and
needs ; which indicates that it has had within itself
a power beyond the human.
Third, the Book touches upon history, art, poetry
and science, formulates theology and expands ex-
perimental religion, and these diverse elements have
been presented by men of different times, countries,
races, social position, political environment and
national and personal aspiration, and all this
without a false or conflicting statement within
it, and with a perfect harmonization and develop-
ment of truth ; which implies the presence and
power of the miraculous.
Fourth, the Book is prophetic in the major por-
tion of it, and its foretellings have often anticipated
thousands of years, multitudes of people and a
multiplicity of events, including the largest possible
national movements and also the smallest possible
personal details, and its utterances have never yet
failed nor been once discredited; which manifests
elements of foreview and predetermination which
are nothing less than divine.
And, finally, it is beyond doubting that whatever
measure of infallibility there has been amongst
men has come from the Book, and that all past and
present confusion has developed, not from it. but
only from man's failure to understand and interpret
it aright ; which proves beyond controversy that the
Book is a light shining in a dark place, a voice which
has a divinely certain sound, a sacred dictum, an
ultimate dogma, the ex cathedra utterance of the
living God. Here, then, faith may rest, for here is
final authority.
Here, however, the heart falters. For each of us
rightly asks : Who am I that I should think myself
to be better than other men? and what chance of
success in interpreting the Bible may I hope for
when men at large have so widely disagreed con-
cerning it? This indeed is searching and solemn-
izing; it is even discouraging and disheartening,
particularly since the very Book whose authority
we recognize tells us plainly that to the end Ave
shall see in part and. therefore, prophesy in part.
It is to be remembered, however, that this is not
all of the truth and that what remains is most
encouraging and enheartening. For these things
are also facts. .The Master promised that the
Spirit through the Book should guide us into truth.
We know that whatever of truth has been dis-
covered has been found by searching the Book.
It is evident that thousands of persons have been
made both wise and godly by meditating on the
things contained in the Book. It is true, even if
we may not know everything in the Book, that we
may know much of it and that this will ever be
for our own and others' profit. And. finally, it is
manifest that the apprehension of truth is not so
much in proportion to one's knowledge of the Book
as it is to one's obedience to it. In view of pre-
vailing Scriptural misinterpretation and spiritual
confusion, it behooves us to walk through life with
humble and contrite hearts. We must keep in
mind that others besides ourselves have the fullness
of the Spirit, and, instead of ourselves, may have the
right interpretation of the revelation. And we are
never to forget that finality of knowledge and
teaching will never be found with us, since we. too.
are only men. At the same time, there is every
reason to be assured that it is our sacred privilege to
come to the Bible' as God's infallible Word ; to
SEPTEMBER, 1920
133
regard it as the divine mandate in respect to human
life and conduct ; to study it as the one revelation
which will illuminate the soul and transform the
life; and to hold it as the decisive word in all con-
troversy. By doing these things, in spite of all
personal infirmity and even in these confused and
confusing times, we shall increasingly discover that
God's truth is ever fixed and final and also that he
who does the will of God will certainly know of the
doctrine.
But to get the henefit of the Book, we need to
deal practically with it. When one is sick and goes
to a medicine chest for a remedy, he does not take
the first medicine which chances to come to hand,
nor does he take all the medicines which the cup-
board may contain; he selects his remedy according
to his need and for the time being shuts himself up
to it. The Bible is a sacred medicine chest, and it
holds in behalf of those spiritually sick, remedies
for every disease.
God expects us, however, to show spiritual dis-
cernment, not to speak of common sense, in dealing
with it. If we wish to know about earth, we do not
want to study about heaven; and if we desire to
know about heaven, we do not want to study about
earth. Again, if we want to understand about spiri-
tual experiences, we ought not to turn to prophecy;
and if we want to understand prophecy, we
ought not Vo study about spiritual experiences. We
are called upon, first of all, to discover our spiritual
need, and then to deal with that portion of the
Word which has to do with this. If one is impure,
let him consider the purity of Christ and His ability
to displace fleshly sin. If one has a temper, let him
consider the gentleness of Christ and His power to
give love and patience. If one is uncertain about
fundamental truth, let him study what the Word
has to say about inspiration, the deity of Christ, the
atonement, the resurrection and other like subjects.
If one is not interested in foreign missions, let him
dwell upon the great commission of Christ, the acts
of the Holy Spirit variously recorded and the mis-
sionary life of Paul. If one is doubtful about
eschatology, let him take up faithfully and fearlessly
the teachings which concern future things and
found his convictions on the revelation of the Bible
rather than upon the comments of lesser books.
In other words, we need to deal sanely with tin-
Book in order that the Book may deal sanely with
us. To do this is to become, in the best sense, a
Bible Christian. And the man who is this is not
shaken by every wind which blows and every wave
which beats, but stands unmoved, and unmovable
through every storm. Mr. Moody made one text,
"He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever," the
guide of his life ; and he became like his text. But
he only got to know God's will by close and pro-
longed study of God's .Word and this from the
standpoint of his personal need.
A last word needs to be spoken. We must be
careful not to divorce knowledge and action. It is
terribly possible for us to know much and yet to put
little into practice. One may approve of clothing
and yet go unclothed. One may admire food and
yet remain hungry. One may glory in the sun and
yet walk in the dark. One may agree with truth
and yet abide in falsehood. One mav swear by the
Bible, the whole Bible and nothing' but the Bible,
and yet not know, or else forsake, its plainest pre-
cepts. Faith only overcomes the world by turning-
theory into practice, by first knowing and then
doing. The heretics of life are not only those who
depart from revealed truth, but also those who
search it. understand it. praise it — and then neglect
or disobey it. At every turn of life, in every crisis
of life, for every purpose of life, we need to come to
the Word as to God's final utterance and faith's
full resting place. But having done this, we need,
above all else, to set our hearts to keep that which
is written therein. There was once on earth a Man
who was Cod's great dogmatist, and He said:
"Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures"; but. be'it
remembered, this One added: "If ye know these
things, blessed are ye if ye do them."'
" In Everything — with Thanks "
THE Principles and Practice of the China
Inland Mission, indited by the founder and
subscribed to by each entering member of the
Mission, contains the following regarding the sub-
ject of "Support": —
"The Mission is supported entirely by the free-
will offerings of the Lord's people. The needs of
the work are laid before God in prayer, no personal
solicitations or collections being authorized. No
more is expended than is thus received, going into
debt being considered inconsistent with the prin-
ciple of entire dependence upon God. The directors
therefore cannot, and do not, promise or guarantee
any fixed amount of support to the workers. They
seek faithfully to distribute the funds available,
and to meet the need of each worker. Every mem-
ber of the Mission is expected to recognize that his
dependence for the supply of all his needs is on God,
who called him and for whom he labors, and not on
the human organization
"While candidates, therefore, when approved,
may be assisted in their outfits for the voyage, may
have their passage money paid for them, and may
be supported in whole or in part by the funds of the
Mission, their faith must be in God, their expecta-
tion from Him. The funds might fail, or the
Mission might cease to exist, but if they put their
trust in Him. He will never fail nor .disappoint
them."
With the above position of the Mission in mind
our readers may be interested and encouraged to
read the following extracts taken from letters
written by workers in the field to the treasurer's
department in Shanghai acknowledging moneys
received during a comparatively recent experience
of straitness of funds, due not to lack of generosity
on the part of donors but rather to the ravaging
rates of exchange and the extortionate cost of living
which prevails in China as elsewhere.
Though not intended for publication, these testi-
134
CHINA'S MILLIONS
monies, we feel sure, will help to strengthen faith,
and these words of thanksgiving will, we trust, be
to the glory of Him who has so wonderfully
answered prayer in regard to funds.
It may be mentioned that normally, remittances
art- sent out from Shanghai quarterly, but during
the time of straitness, consequent on high exchange,
interim remittances have occasionally been des-
patched to relieve pressure. Some of these letters
refer to the regular quarterly remittances and some
to the interim ones.
"Enclosed please find my receipt for interim remittance
to hand. It came to us this time as a very distinct answer
to prayer, for we were face to face with a distinct short-
age. By these things men live, and personally, I feel
that these times of shortage put a 'vim' into the life that
times of abundance fail to do. I read the other day that
man is at his best when battling against the stream, and
one cannot but feel in one's inmost soul that it is so,
though the flesh does not always say 'Yes'."
"Truly our Lord is the faithful God, and I am beginning
to prove, as Mr. Hudson Taylor said, 'what a sweet thing
it is to live from hand to mouth when it is from God's
hand to our mouth'."
"The extra remittances you have sent out make ' me
feel very grateful, but very unworthy of all the Lord's
goodness. It is impossible, of course, for God to deny
Himself, and to forsake His children out here, but we are
none the less glad and grateful when we receive such
tokens of His love and remembrance."
"We wonder, with the high exchange, how you are
able to send us so much. The Lord, our Father, always
makes what comes enough, and often it is amply suffi-
cient, or He supplies in other ways."
"The sum is small this time, but we praise God that He
counts us worthy to suffer this test of faith. May we be
the- better for it, and praise God! we have not really been
called upon to endure hardness for Him in any physical
sense that is worthy of mention."
"I do not mind the shortage for myself, but was most
grateful to find a sum to help with our native helpers
who are so much needed these days when foreign workers
are so few."
"We, with others, much value your note of faith and
courage accompanying the latest remittance voucher. It
is our desire that our degree of thankfulness for God's
provision may not be regulated by the amount of dollars
that appear on the voucher. If we have His blessing with
whatever He sends, and we receive it with thankfulness,
He can make the flour in the barrel and the oil in the
cruse last until He opens His gracious hand in other
"I should like to add my testimony to that of many
others which, doubtless, vou are receiving these days.
The Lord does provide for all needs. Deficiencies have
always been made up in some way. either by extra gifts
from friends at home or other tokens of "the Father's
"Thank you for the interim remittance just sent out.
and also for your good letter enclosed. Praise God !
we do indeed trust to no uncertain supply. It is abund-
antlv true that the resources of God are not affected by
the rates of exchange."
"This token of the loving kindness of our Father came
at a time when I was specially praving for monev to
meet a need, and it fills my heart with praise. Oh, to be
worthy of Him who never fails !"
"Praise God we know that He will not fail us in any
way. and if He causes us to know straitness it is that
we may be led into fuller spiritual blessing, and this is
what we need most of all. What a wonderful work
the Lord acc6mplished through Peter, though he said.
'Silver and gold have I none'."
ng recently in a new way that the
].<
1 got i
ctn
resources close at hand, while our eyes are perhaps
stretched across the ocean."
"Once again God has shown us that He may bring us
into a strait place but He will n-ever fail us."
"Now is the time to prove our faith for the needed
supply, and to pray not only for ourselves but for the
many other societies also adversely affected. The same
Lord is rich unto all."
"God tests our faith that we may test His faithful-
ness. This is just another opportunity for us all to test
His faithfulness. He will do something, for He cannot
fail."
"Although the remittances for the last year or so have
been smaller than usual, I can truly say that all my needs
have been supplied, and when one feared that the
amount would not be enough to carry one through the
quarter an extra remittance has come in so that I have
suffered no lack."
"Both my wlife and I are glad that we came to China
under a Mission which taught us to look to Him and not
to the financial department of a Mission."
"We do rejoice in God's faithfulness. He has been
showing us recently how independent He is of the ordin-
ary channels, by sending us full supply through extra-
ordinary channels. Praise His holy name !"
"It did indeed come to me as a special gift from the
Lord. We have so many local compensations that we
are not permitted to feel in any way straitened. Our
garden has never been so productive as this year. Eggs
and chickens have come in as presents in abundance, also
several presents of wheat. God Himself is our treasure
house and one longs more and more to live and move
and have our being wholly in Him. We do need the
spiritual gifts which are of supreme importance."
"The word in Deuteronomy 4:7, 'Who hath God so
nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that
we call upon Him for,' comes to mind as one receives this
interim remittance. May we each one give Him increased
joy."
"Thank you for your note with remittance, which is
most acceptable at this time and brought forth loving
thanks to God — more so, one cannot but note in one's
own heart, than when there was a greater plenty."
"We deeply realize the preciousness at this time of
trust in Christ. God truly is rich unto all that call upon
Him. There never is a possibility of failure with Him."
"The Lord knows our needs, and if He does not supply
them far ahead He always provides at the right moment,
and we can surely go on in freedom from care. It is
good to be able to rest in our Father's love."
"It is worth while being brought to the point of feel-
ing need, that we may be led more truly to look to Him
and prove again and again how wonderfully He does
supply. I want to add my word of Draise and thanks to
Him."
"I think it is a very special help that Mr. Hudson
Taylor's life should come out at this time. As one reads
of the difficulties of the pioneers and of the wonder
working of our God on so many occasions, it is a great
stimulant to faith and an incentive to believe that He
will provide all that is needed."
"I have no fear about the Lord not providing the need
for each one of us, His servants. He is always faithful
and He knoweth. In the summer I asked Him to supply
my needs so that I might not have to overdraw, and He
provided beyond what I asked for contingencies I had
not foreseen, and now this last transmission remittance
covers everything, new passport and all, and leave- a
margin for His work. It is blessed to get H
tokens."
"I cannot return the voucher without again sending
a brief line to acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude this
further remittance. It is good to realize our dependence
on the Lord and to prove His faithfulness."
"Certainly the Lord means to teach everyone of us to
lean more and more on Him and trust more fully. So far
the little has always been enough."
"Once again God has sent the supply of our needs, and
although the remittance is somewhat smaller, it is such
a joy to know that no good thing will He withhold from
them that walk uprightly."
SEPTEMBER, 1920
135
Yen Shi-shan; A Progressive Chinese Governor
By F. C. H. DREYER, Hungtung, Shansi
THERE is little doubt that among the present primer. Though he has pushed this script with
provincial governors of China, His Excellency, considerable energy, the people in general have as
Yen Shi-shan, Governor of Shansi, is making yet not taken to it seriously, and the results ob-
his mark in history. Not only has he been in office tained so far have not fulfilled earlier expectations,
for a longer period than any of the other governors, In some districts missionaries have done much to
having held his position since the beginning of the promote this reform, and it is safe to say that, in
proportion to their numbers,
more Christians have learned
the script than any other class
of people. It is to be hoped
that efforts may not be re-
laxed until the goal originally
fixed has been attained, name-
ly, that every man under forty
and every woman under thirty
should be able to read.
Governor Yen's latest pro-
duction is a pamphlet of some
13,000 characters (40 pages),
entitled "What Every Family
Ought to Know." The first
chapter is introductory, de-
scribing a good home and the
happiness that such a home
brings to all. The subject of
the second is family virtue.
After giving a list of the
virtues that the various mem-
bers of a family ought to
possess, the Governor con-
tinues : "Family virtue is the
sum total of the virtue of its
constituent members, namely,
that great and small all act
according to their conscience. This virtue does not
come from without, but is developed from the in-
Republic, but he has obviously
endeavored to rule wisely and
well and has met with a fair
measure of success.
One of the greatest things
that Governor Yen has done
for Shansi is that -he has
maintained order. Through-
out the last few troublous
years, in happy contrast to
many other parts of China,
life and property in this pro-
vince have been secure. But
the governor has done more
than this. He has introduced
useful reforms, such as the
prohibition of opium and
other narcotics, the abolition
of the queue and foot-binding,
the encouragement of agri-
culture, forestry, sericulture,
the introduction of uniform
weights and measures, the
introduction of more enlight-
ened forms of legal procedure,
the establishment of schools
for girls, the introduction of
compulsory education for
boys, the establishment of entirely new standards of
morals and training in the army, and the encourage-
ment of the definite acknowledgment of God and dividual conscience. Everyone has a conscience,
every man's responsibility to Him. True, these therefore everyone potentially has virtue." What
reforms have not as yet been fully accomplished, Governor Yen fails to explain is where the power
and Shansi has yet a long, long way to go. The to enable one to live up to one's conscience is to be
important point is, that a beginning has been made, found. In thus omitting the most important point
If an enlightened and progressive policy continues of all. the Governor has only failed to do better
d by the Governor I
to be consistently followed, there is every reason to
expect a rapid development in this province within
the next decade.
In addition to proclamations on various subjects,
Governor Yen has instituted educational campaigns
for enlightening the people, establishing reading
and lecture rooms in every city and larger village,
in which talks are periodically given on topics ol
vital interest to the people. He has also issued a
number of books, in editions running into millions
of copies, for widespread distribution. Through his
"What the People Ought to Know" and his maxims
which may be seen everywhere in Shansi <>n pillar
and post and wall, he is seeking to inculcate patriot-
ism, honesty, diligence, economy, and other virtues.
Although the idea of military preparedness looms
rather large in these maxims, as it does also in
"What the People Ought to Know," their effect as
a whole can only be helpful.
Governor Yen has also issued a phonetic script
than China's great teacher, Confucius, and revealed
that he has not yet realized that the power to carry
out his teaching can only be found in Christ.
The third chapter deals with family etiquette, and
the fourth gives some family rules, naming friend-
liness, magnanimity, dignity., rectitude, diligence,
economy, cleanliness, quietness. Chapter five
emphasizes the fact that peace in the home is large-
ly dependent upon justice, and that selfishness and
partialis arc sure to lead to discord. Chapter six
deals with home training, showing that in import-
ance it surpasses the training a child receives at
school. Merc again his military ideals are seen.
He recommends that educational toys be given,
which will develop the child's intelligence, and
among them such toys as wooden knives and
spears, "in order to nourish in them an admiration
for military prowess."
Chapter seven treats of family hygiene, dealing
specifically with the following: clothing, food, the
CHINAS MILLIONS
Photographs by a Chinese pholographi
peaceful i
elations
that
family anc
the cla
l, and
neighbors
Then
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of clothini
r which
shoul
house, vaccination, and exercise. Chapter eight
points out the duties of the head of the family,
while chapter nine deals with those of the mother.
"All mothers want good sons and daughters. To
this end many worship idols, not knowing that no
faith can he put in such things." Chapters ten to
fifteen treat of the duties of wives, stepmothers,
brothers, sisters-in-law, sisters and children, in
their various relationships. Chapter sixteen points
out that in the Chow dynasty it was customary for
young men to set up their own home at the age of
twenty. The Governor advocates delaying mar-
riage till the son has come to manhood and is able
to support a wife, then giving him a separate home.
Chapters seventeen and eighteen speak of the
should exist between the
between the family and its
chapters on the subjects
[ he plain, appropriate, and
clean; on women's adornments, which should be
modest and becoming; and on family expenditure,
which should be rigidly kept within the income.
Even the expenditure on such important occasions
as weddings and funerals should be regulated by the
family fortune. Local and domestic goods should
he used as much as possible, and only when no
Chinese goods are available should foreign goods
be purchased. Chapter twenty-two advises be-
ginning early to save for the education of children
and chapter twenty-three is devoted to the subject
of earning a living.
Chapter twenty-four treats of things that should
he strictly prohibited. In this chapter the governor
has some strong things to say about the use of
opium and other narcotics; gambling; concubines;
early betrothals and early marriages; infanticide;
foot-binding; leaving the dead unburied, and a
number of other evils. Chapter twenty-six
laments the lack of a sense of responsibility, which
is so manifest in all classes of people, and exhorts
all to develop this virtue in themselves and in
others.
Chapter twenty-seven gives some forty family
maxims, of which the following are samples:
"In training children, as in training plants, the most
important time is when they are small."
; like rearing a thie
"Not to teach your son morals,
not to teach him a trade, is to casi
"Vitiated air kills more people than prison."
"The parents' behavior is the children's die— if good,
the impression will be good; if bad, the impression made
will be bad."
"Unjust wealth brings calamity."
"It is not poverty to be without money, but it is true
poverty to be without a trade (or means' of livelihood)."
"To be cruel to one's own is to be worse than a
beast."
"To realize, confess, and amend one's faults, is to be
a true man."
"Every additional happiness enjoyed, weakens one's
power of will; every additional suffering endured, adds
to one's wisdom and power."
"The more numerous one's servants, the greater one's
dangers. Unless they can be of real service men should
not be lightly employed."
"If your conscience tells you a thing is wrong, it is
wrong: don't do it."
"The experience of the uneducated is much to be pre-
ferred to inexperience of the educated."
'There is no greater calamity than to give reins to
one's desires and no greater evil than self-deception."
"We should be most ashamed of the' two words. 'I
can't !'"
Reference has already been made to the encour-
agement the Governor has given to the definite
acknowledgment of God as the supreme being, and
every man's individual responsibility to Him. In-
deed, from the missionary's point of view, this is
perhaps the most remarkable thing Governor Yen
has done. Everywhere throughout Shansi one can
see the following maxim written in large characters
on the walls : "There are three things to fear : ( 1 )
God; (2) the law; and (3) the sanctions of. society."
The first of these the Governor explains in "What
the People Ought to Know," as follows : "Think of
the manifold wonders of the heavens above and of
the earth beneath ! How could there be this great
creation if there were not a true God? You all
worship a tablet bearing the inscription : 'The True
Ruler of Heaven, Earth, the Three Regions. Ten
Directions, and all spirits.' To whom do the two
words 'True Ruler' refer? They refer to God. In
the Book of Odes it says : 'God is near you. be not
double-minded.' That is to say. God is everywhere.
As soon as a man thinks or acts, it is impossible to
hide it from God's eyes. In the Confucian classics
SEPTEMBER, 1920
137
there are very many references to God. From this
it is evident that the ancients all worshiped God.
This is the true doctrine that Confucius taught.
People of a later day study Confucius' writings, and
profess to rever him, yet they do not worship God
— this truly is to forget and reject that which is
fundamental."
In order to foster and deepen this feeling of per-
sonal responsibility to God, Governor Yen has
established in Taiyuanfu and various large cities,
'Self-examination Halls. In the capital, a fine large
building has been specially erected for the purpose,
but in other places they are mostly large temples
from which the shrines and idols have been wholly
removed. In some cases several large temple build-
ings have been joined into one and then furnished
. with a platform and benches to sect as many as
2,000 people. Many of the larger schools also have
self-examination halls of their own.
In these large halls civil and military officials,
soldiers and senior students in uniform gather by
thousands in a quiet and orderly manner for a
service early every Sunday morning. As described
to the writer, the service consists of three parts,
namely, an address, self-examination, and singing.
When all are seated and the service is about to com-
mence, the speaker (usually the highest or one of
the higher officials in the city) enters. At a signal
from the master of ceremonies all rise and remain
standing till the speaker has taken his place. A
prelude is played on an organ or on ancient Chinese
musical instruments. Then follows a short ad-
dress or addresses, based upon texts taken from
the classics, no speaker being expected to occupy
more than fifteen minutes, after which some time is
spent in absolute silence, each one examining his
own heart and life, especially in their relation t<>
three points: (1) the law; (2) his fellow man; and
(3) God or Truth; confessing where lie has been
wrong, and meditating how to amend his faults
The service closes with the singing of a song in
praise of Confucius. This is followed by military
music.
For the general public a more popular form of
service is held every Sunday about eleven o'clock
in all cities and many larger towns and' villages
called The Heart-cleansing Society. This service is
usually held in a large hail in the Confucian temple,
or in some other large public building. It consists
of music by the school bands; saluting the flag;
singing patriotic songs; burning incense before a
Confucian tablet (this is, it seems, often omitted in
some places, and wholly -so in others); the whole
congregation making three bows with bared heads,
in honor of Confucius (in many places Christians
and others who have conscientious scruples only
need to make themselves known to be excused from
this ceremony) ; and popular addresses on religious,
moral, social, and national questions. These meet-
ings are attended by the chief official and many of
the gentry, scholars' in boys' and girls' schools, and
one or more representatives from each business
firm. A roll is kept and absentees are fined after
the third offense. Christians are often welcomed
as speakers at these meetings, and no restriction is
placed upon their proclaiming the Gospel, if they
do so tactfully. In other cases it is stipulated that
no direct reference to Christ shall be made, but the
condemnation of idolatry and exhortation to wor-
ship the true God are always welcomed. As to the
prominence given to moral issues and clearness
with which they are presented, much naturally
depends upon the local official and the individual
speaker.
From the above it is clear that Confucius has a
very high place in both services, and that doubtless
one idea underlying these services is the revival of
his teaching. There are those who fear that this
may be a step towards the establishment of Con-
fucianism as a state religion. We think, however,
that the Governor is sincere in his professed belief
in religious liberty, and that these fears are un-
founded. The people may fail to live up to their
ideals, but it cannot but do them good to periodi-
cally review their lives in the light of their duty to
God and to their fellow-man, if only to convince
them of their own failure and sin, and their inability
to do the right in their own strength.
It is noteworthy that in most of the reforms
which Governor Yen advocates, such, for example,
as regards opium and narcotics, foot-binding, in-
fanticide, gambling, polygamy, early betrothals and
early marriages, early burials, the education of
girls, etc., the Christian church has from the be-
ginning, both by precept and example, taken an
honorable lead. This fact has been so strikingly
evident to the people, that many suspect Governor
Yen of being a secret disciple of our Lord. One
can only hope that he may yet see clearly and con-
less openly that the only hope of true reform in the
individual, as in the nation, is the Gospel. In other
words that regeneration must be the basis of all true
reformation, and that the ideals he has set before
his people for the individual, the family and the
nation can only be fully realized in so far as the
Lord Jesus Christ is accepted as Savior, and recog-
nized as Lord.
Chinese Fairs and Christian Forces
By Mr. ALFRED JENNINGS, Pingyao, Shansi
THE 1st of June was our big day of the year
For three days there was a theatre right at out-
door, the second day being also a big fair.
It is useless to estimate how many came under the
sound of the Gospel that day. Our big courtyard
was crowded with men from soon after breakfast
until the evening theatre began and the women's
court and rooms were uncomfortably full. Preach-
ing ( from three or four stands), book-selling, and
tract distribution went on incessantly for eight to
nine hours.
Our workers turned up well — a band of over a
dozen men and women and two evangelists from the
adjoining station of Kiehsiu. The church bears all
the expenses connected with this special effort at
this fair. We were encouraged very much by the
more intelligent preaching of the Gospel and the
many attentive and thoughtful listeners. Pray that
we may soon see the harvest of so much sowing.
138
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Our evangelistic society finished its season's
work about a month ago. but though as a band it is
not now doing active work, its leader, Mr. Chang,
and several of its members are individually still
carrying on. attending fairs, theatres and other
opportunities for witnessing. Their report for the
few months they were out last spring is very en-
couraging. About 120 villages were visited, books
were sold, bills posted, and meetings held.
For nearly a month, commencing about July 12th,
a big fair is held in the temple of the city god with
theatres every few days. We are hoping to have
our preaching tent erected outside and near one of
the entrances, for book-selling and preaching to the
crowds who generally attend.
Just at present (July, 1920) everyone is busy with
the wheat harvest which we are thankful to say is
much better than was expected a month ago.
Several good showers at the beginning of the month
-rive a fuller ear and the autumn crops are be-
ginning to look promising. Already we have had
some hot days, quite a few of them reaching 100
degrees in the shade (dry heat). Most of those
who move to cooler spots to "escape heat" have
already gone.
The second week in June, I went down to Kiehsiu
to examine the boys' school and my wife went with
me. When finished I went on to Hungtung to see
Mr. Lutley. spending Sunday at Hwochow. The
long drought broke just as I started and I had a
very wet journey. But it meant salvation to the
farmers' crops, so although, despite waterproof, I
was three times soaked, one could feel thankful.
( )n my return I had the pleasure of escorting two
ladies back to Kiehsiu, Miss Lovejoy returning from
a visit to Hungtung. and Miss R. C. Benson, a new
worker from America who has been appointed to
that station.
As a city we are beginning to move. Our old
opium-eating Confucian magistrate left several
months ago and the new man. a young fellow from
the south, is a hustler. Not only has he been clear-
ing up the filthy old yamen buildings and is erect-
ing a preaching hall on the site, but he has been
working hard to clear out the still very large addic-
tion to opium, morphia and pill taking. Heavy
fines do not avail, imprisonment results in very little
diminution, so now we have daily parades of quite
respectable men (one day there was even- a woman)
chained together, each bearing a wooden placque
giving name, etc., and what they were found with.
This will have more effect on the upper classes, as
to lose face is greater punishment than fines.
Governor Yen is pushing forward his new motor
road. Already it is made to within thirty miles
of this city and surveyed to the south beyond
Kiehsiu. Chao Sheo-i (formerly Colonel) is in
charge of the work and has been down this way
spending several days at Kiehsiu. He is an out-
and-out Christian man and lets everyone know it.
He has been using his spare time at Kiehsiu in
giving lantern lectures, preaching and lecturing.
He strongly advocates the " new birth" as the only
cure for opium, morphia and such like cravings.
Oh for many more like him !
The Fear of God and the Fear of Man
By Mr. C. H. STEVENS, Fengsiangfu. Shensi
AT special meetings here, conducted chiefly by
Pastor Huang, a Chinese pastor from the
church at Hingping, the attendance was most
encouraging, about a thousand each day, in spite of
rumors of impending trouble.
Pastor Huang's address had no uncertain
sound. He not only declared plainly the truth as it
is in Jesus, for the unbeliever; but also put very
plainly before the Christians their obligations and
responsibilities to church, family, neighbors and
relatives. We feel the church has had a stirring
up that will have permanent results.
About forty new names .were added to our in-
quirers' list. Among these were a beggar woman
SEPTEMBER, 1920
139
over ninety and a man who had been a gambler
from his youth up. The Savior is still willing to be
associated with publicans and sinners.
The lads associated with our boys' school also
had a lift up. My wife had them for a prayer meet-
ing in our sitting-room and there was much weeping
and confession. Please pray for our boys' school.
There seems prospect of much fruit from this de-
partment of the work if we can further develop it.
We have recently been reinforced by the addition
of two lady workers to our staff, Miss Ruby Thomp-
son and Miss Ida Wilson. This timely help is a
great relief and should prove a great impetus to the
work here. May the Lord's blessing richly rest
upon their labors here !
Since the meetings, local troubles have again
taken place. Fighting has occurred between the
rebel forces stationed here and government troops,
about ten miles away. The rebels scored a measure
of success, capturing two pieces of artillery, some
ammunition, silver, etc. The whole district is in a
terrible state owing to lawless men all around loot-
ing and torturing to such an extent that numbers
of law-abiding people simply dare not risk sleeping
at night in their own homes but go out into the
fields or spend the night away from their usual
habitations. Many of these lawless soldiers seem
to have lost all human feeling.
Once again numbers of wounded have been
brought to us to have their wounds attended to,
some with broken arms, others with broken legs,
broken heads, holes in the chest, holes in the back
■ — and all this human suffering without any definite
object in View. It just seems as if the devil is
doing his best to spoil God's handiwork. Continue
in prayer for us that "having received this ministry
we faint not."
Work in Kiating and Surrounding Country
By Mrs. BENJAMIN RIRIE, Kiatingfu, Szechwan
ALTHOUGH we have been itinerating as the
way opened, we rarely have had fit places at
which to stay. But things are 'now more
encouraging in that respect. Till just lately, I have
not been able to go to our nearest station for want
of accommodation, but Mr. Lee, our leading mem-
ber there, put up a third story loft for us. Such
a lovely little place it is, with a little veranda
. around two sides, then a nice little guest room to
receive the inquirers in, at the stair landing, and a
little bed room, both nicely furnished. Mr. Lee go1
his reward through sending his wife up there to
sleep when we were not there, and she was cured
of consumption.
This place is overhung with clouds of soot from
soft coal furnaces used for boiling brine. This loft,
however, is above such things and looks out over
the tiles and 'on to the river and a green island
beyond.
I have had three visits to this place, my husband
has been there several times too, and each time we
have encouragement — some breaking vegetarian
vows and others taking down idolatrous parapher-
nalia. It is near, and I can go any time myself.
The Christians are bringing their friends, so we
are having a steady increase.
We went by boat to the southern outstations.
Three of our stations are on the river and three up
inland. The people could not leave their farm work
to stay at the market, besides, brigands have their
lairs in the inland places so we felt we should keep
to the river.
Some of these places I had not been to for years.
I found the first little company of Christian women
all dead in the lowest station; however, the ones
who had taken their places soon showed an inter-
est. We feel there has been a fresh start in more
than one place.
We stopped at Motsz, named after stones by the
riverside that look like big grindstones around
which swirl the waters of a rapid. It is a large
place, the largest in our southern district and we
had a day or two of really good wo'rk. We had a
place there once but lost it in the Revolution.
Nearly all of our outstation halls have been lost
through fire, revolution or flood, and we have got
new ones gradually but with no adequate quarters
to live in. But these quarters are coming slowly.
I do hope our places will not be host again through
the fighting which is going on just now. The
soldiers get quite out of hand and do such over-
bearing things — that is some do, others are decent
and well behaved. In Motsz we had a day or two of
really good work and then stayed at "Bamboo
town" over Sunday.
My husband is off again to Mt. Omei to straigh-
ten up our church building there, which is leaning,
having given way before the fierce north winds that
rage in the mountains. He is also taking over the
station in the city of Omei (Omay) at the foot of
the mountain, which Mr. Toyne left in order to go
to Luchow. Mr. and Mrs. Sinton and Mr. and Mrs.
Olsen are also stationed in Luchow. We heard
a few days ago of Mr. Hockman's loss by wreck of
goods he was bringing up for the new high school.
It is a big loss. We have so many limitations up
here.
Fighting is going on on the road east of Chengtu
which leads to Chungking. Wanhsien "and all points
east." ( >ne city is burned down — i.e., the most of
it — by the Southern party who had to retire and
so took revenge. They expect fighting any time
in Chengtu. so foreign children and lady students
and all who can leave are being urged out by the
Consular authorities. So they are beginning to go
through here to the mountains where it is much
better for the students to be.
Here in Kiating, the work is going on slowly.
The women are coming in gradually. I have had
about fifty girls in the school this term. They
seem to enjoy school life for the most part, learn-
ing the hieroglyphics with great gusto. You ought
to see the mites with their chins just above the
tables singing off their lessons. When I came to
China it was a rare thing indeed for girls to be
studying. Now there are schools everywhere.
One nice girl came yesterday, who, I suggested
had better wait till after the holidays but she
140
CHINA'S MILLIONS
wouldn't go away and seemed so anxious that 1 re-
lented and told her to come and get what she could.
We have one little hoy who at the age of six or
seven would stand up on the church bench and read
out any portion of Scripture quite readily. They
are marvels, many of them, for the learning of the
Chinese language is just a great feat of memory!
To read easily one must recognize a few thousand
characters ! The new script ought soon to make a
difference. Railways and steamboats are helping
the Chinese to mix more, so they will learn a com-
mon tongue in time, and the National Phonetic
Script is a step in that direction.
If anyone wants a really hard place to pray for,
here is Kiating! It is a great centre of the Bud-
dhist religion. The largest image of Buddha that
we know of in the world is carved from a precipice
by the riverside just opposite the city. It is three
hundred feet high. The mountain, only twenty-
five miles t'o the west is the highest of the sacred
mountains given up to the worship of thousands of
images of Buddha. Many of the Tibetans come
traveling for weeks over high mountains to visit
this mountain worshiping in every temple on the
way to its top.
The people here seem to be hanging on desper-
ately to their beliefs, apparently angry at their be-
ing challenged. They are convinced of their falsity,
or partly so, but don't want to give up old tradi-
tions — just like lots of folks at home. We cer-
tainly should be patient with them. A hundred
ideas have to go in one irrevocable collapse ! And
yet, we have had women who recognized the truth
and were willing to adhere to it on the very first
hearing !
Petitions to God more Effectual than
Petitions to Men
By Miss R. J. PEV1BERTON. Paoning, Szechwan
OX May 31st, a little after dawn, my sister and
I were wakened by hearing brigands rush-
ing past our house. We immediately got
out of bed and saw a number of these evil men run-
ning with their rifles on their shoulders toward the
market.
We had heard of rumors that they were not far
off, but were not prepared for this visit. I dressed
quickly and brought the children over to our house,
and hid s'ome of the bigger girls in the attic. Then
I went to see our evangelist to find out what was
happening in the market.
As I was speaking to him a young man called
me to go to the market quickly as the brigands had
taken captive our Chinese pastor, also his two sons,
had already bound them and were going off with
them.
I knew I must go quickly if I was to be of any
service to them, so calling a Christian woman who
was standing by to come with me, I went down the
market to the Pastor's house, praying, as I went,
for guidance and help. The evangelist wanted to
come with me but I would not allow him, as he had
previously suffered badly at the hands of the bri-
gands.
On reaching the Pastor's house, I found five or
six armed brigands standing outside. I asked them
to tell me where the Pastor was as I wanted to see
him. They answered me very roughly and rudely
that he was in his house. I knew this, was not
true, so I asked them again where he was. They
told me it was none of my business.
I felt I must see the head man and ask for the
'Pastor's release, so I passed them by and went in
the direction that I felt sure had been taken. The
five or six brigands followed me. They would not
allow the woman to come with me, so I went alone
— yet not alone — and prayed much as I went.
When I came to the bridge, I could see the bri-
gands with their train of captives. Then, noticing
one brigand on horseback, and thinking he must be
the chief, I shouted to him to wait a little as I had
something to say to him. He was anything but
polite and told me to hurry up.
When I caught up with him I begged for Iang
Muh-si to be released, reminding him 1 had done all
in my power for their men when wounded, and had
taken nothing for medicine or my services, but did
all I could to save life.
They spoke more politely to me then, but said
they would not release the Pastor unless we suc-
ceeded in getting two of their men out of the hands
of- the soldiers, who had captured them at a place
about thirteen miles from here, and that if they
were not released in two days the Pastor would be
shot.
I told them it was impossible for us to do what
they asked and begged again for the Pastor Iang's
release. But they told me not to interfere, and
some suggested taking me along with them. I
could see it was no use talking to them any more
and as they moved off I went back home.
We found, on our return, that they had also taken
captive the Pastor's nephew, and several others
among whom were four Christians.
We arranged to give the day to prayer, as we
felt very strongly that only the Lord could deliver.
About half past eleven that morning quite a num-
ber of Christians gathered together. Evangelist
Wang led the meeting, and I felt the right note
was struck when he began by saying that we had
great need to get low down before the Lord and
confess and put away that which was displeasing
to Him and then our prayers would not be hindered.
We had a time of real prayer.
Later, we heard that the Pastor's two sons were
free. The youngest came to see us and to tell us
all about their experiences. It was indeed a ter-
rible story to listen to.
Before he had finished his recital, the whole com-
pany of the brigands were in the market again.
They actually escorted the Pastor to his own home
and left him there, then went their way to another
market some thirteen miles distant. We could
see them going up the hill behind our house. We
heard they arrived at Laokuanchang at dawn and
did frightful things.
SEPTEMBER. 1920
141
Of course they had wanted money for the ransom
of the Pastor and his sons. The Pastor told them
it was impossible for him to give money. He said
if he gave money he would never be able to preach
the Gospel again. He could only give his life for
the Gospel.
They first asked for a very large sum — 40.000
ounces of silver ; then they came down to $300, and
eventually to $50 for board during the two days and
one night that the Pastor and his sons were with
them. Finally they said the)' could not take even
this from the Pastor, but they would take it from
his nephew (whom they had treated most cruelly
and almost killed) and would set him free too. This
they did.
They also returned the Pastor's surplice. One
of the head brigands had stolen it and had left the
house dressed in it.
They told the Pastor that they had greatly hon-
ored him by escorting him home. The only thing
they said they had not done was to let off crackers
in honor of his return!
God had indeed done wonders and had answered
our prayers exceeding abundantly above all that
we asked or thought.
The Opened Rock
By Rev. CHARLES FAIRCLOUGH. Yenchow. Chekiang
THREE and a half centuries ago, Francis Xavier
in his dying hour, exclaimed in an agony of
despair. "Oh, Rock, Rock, when wilt thou
open?" To-day the rock is opened. Men who once
despised the Gospel are now beginning to realize
that Christianity is a force. Amidst the political
strife and national feud and faction, the Christian
church stands as an object lesson of unity and har-
mony. Throughout the land there is an atmos-
phere of uncertainty and apprehension, the depress-
ing influence of which is felt far and wide. There
is a longing for something or someone who will
put China's house in order, and yet many of the
leaders are still wedded to antiquity and trust to
superstitions and vain things which can neither
profit nor deliver.
But still the "Rock" is opened ; and on our recent
itinerations it has been a glad surprise to find such
a ready response to the hearing of the Word. As
we journeyed among the verdant hills and fruitful
valleys, ablaze with the freshness of Spring, our
souls have cried out, "Oh. that men would praise the
Lord for his goodness !"
Some sixty miles from here there is a town where
in former years, the missionary has been mobbed
and rudely treated more than once by the jeering
crowd. On this occasion our visit was by invita-
tion. A young Chinese doctor, graduate of ■ a
Christian medical school, has opened a hospital ad-
joining his own home by the south gate. He is a
Christian — the only believer in the town — and it
was our privilege to spend some happy days in fel-
lowship together. Each morning I preached to the
patients gathered in the dispensary and a fine
evangelistic meeting was held each evening. Dr.
Huang would be glad for prayer that his work in
the hospital may bring healing to the body and sal-
vation to the soul. Through the influence of this
Christian doctor a great and effectual door has been
opened in this once very difficult and anti foreign
field.
Just before furlough I was journeying to the
town of "Life-long prosperity," thirty miles away.
The day was hot and I sat to rest in the shade of a
humble market gardener's straw-thatched dwelling.
In conversation I spoke to him of the "Savior of
the world." He became interested and soon after-
wards commenced to attend the services at the
Gospel hall six miles from his home. Early this
year I was visiting the district again and, on com-
ing to this lowly abode, a snow storm was pending
and the man pressed me to spend the night. What
a joyful surprise to find that my host was a real live
Christian. He reminded me of the conversation a
few years before and said it set him thinking about
this Savior who is called Jesus, and now he is
gladly serving Him. It was a very blustering cold
night without, and it was not very comfortable
within, but our hearts were warmed as we com-
muned together and realized Jesus in the midst.
The evangelist has just written me a note saying
that this Christian has promised to help the church
to the amount of $5 a year, apart from his weekly
offering.
For over ten years I have been regularly visiting
this town of "Life-long prosperity" and in the jour-
ney have passed the door of a certain rich man's
house. Little of the family was known to me, for
beyond the occasional friendly nod, no further de-
sire was evinced to have any closer dealings with
the "man from the outside," as I am called. A few
months ago. in passing through the village, the old
man of the house was there, but this time gave me
more than the usual bow, for with an effusive air
of welcome, he ushered me into his guest chamber,
where tea and refreshments were spread. He is a
fine old gentleman, eightv-three vears of age. but
still active and keen. Through the efforts of the
native evangelist he has become interested in the
Gospel. We had a very interesting talk and I saw
something of the family and learned that about
twenty in number sat down to meals. The son,
who is now a grandfather, regularly attends the
services on the Lord's Day, and one day, I hope, will
make the great confession. Here is a call for
prayer, that this Chinese family may be led to be-
lieve on the Lord ; and for that particular member,
in his green old age. the words of .the prophet may
be .true concerning him — "He will bring me forth to
the light and I shall behold His righteousness."
The Commissioner of Police of the town of "Fol-
lowing peace" sent word to say he would like to see
me before I departed. On being ushered into the
waiting room "His Excellency" greeted me with a
low bow and then shook me by the hand. The
conversation over the tea drinking soon drifted to
the affairs of the church, and he related a little
personal history. He is an old army man, and, dur-
ing the Boxer year, was an officer in command.
142
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Part of his regiment was told off to harass and per-
secute the Christians. Of his share in the black
deeds of that awful year he gave me a vivid pre-
sentation. Suddenly the thought of this foul work
shook him, and, soon after, meeting a missionary,
he was led to see the error of his way and eventu-
ally found peace with God. He became a member
of the church in north China and for several years
ran well. In his official life he has had many
strange adventures and, sad to say, of recent years
he has sacrificed the Christian ideals for the vulgar
prizes of life. He is now a backslider. When I
was taking my leave he promised to read the Bible
again if I would send him a copy. A copy has been
sent along with other books, and we can but pray
that his soul will be illumined, for "The entrance
of Thy Word giveth light."
Another proof that the "Rock" is opened here, in
this town, indifferent still to the Gospel, though not
so antiforeign, is that the three leading teachers in
the government high schools are Christians. They
need to be strengthened by your prayers. Mrs.
Fairclough had well nigh given up the hope of even
seeing any spiritual life in one woman who has
been a church member for many years. The other
day this same woman offered to help in visiting and
even to spend a week in the country with Mrs.
Fairclough whenever she was able to go.
We have been kept in health since our return and
we feel quite at home in our old sphere of labor.
The church is not as bright, spiritually, as we should
like, for there is a lack on the part of the Christians
of a vigorous aggressive Gospel offensive with a
definite spiritual passion for souls ; and the growth
of any church is measured by its missionary spirit.
One cause of declension is the absence of the family
altar in the home. There has been neglect in the
reading of the Word. Let us plead for these
Christians at the Throne of Grace that they may be
led to spend more time in prayer and make it the
key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.
The great heat is now upon us but we are staying
at our station through the summer for we are anx-
ious to get things in order so that we shall be ready
for our autumn campaign. The Lord willing, we
shall be out the whole of October with the Preach-
ing Band, and we shall be glad if you will sustain us
by thought and prayer.
Our Shanghai Letter
By Mr. G. W. GIBB, writing from Shanghai, July 30th, 1920
Disturbances. During the last few
weeks hostilities have been raging in
various parts of this land, and for a
short time communication witli the
north was impossible. Latterly,
however, on account of the success
of General Wu Peh-fu and the con-
sequent overthrow of the Anfuh
party, railway communication has
again been restored. We have been
receiving reports from various dis-
tricts throughout the north, many of
which speak of the very disturbed
conditions caused largely by brigands
and disbanded soldiers.
Mr. M. L. Griffith, writing on July
21st describes the conditions around
Shunteh, in the province of Chihli,
in the following words: "All cereals
are, of course, very dear and very
scarce. There are bands of refugees
roaming the country asking for food,
and there are bands of armed rob-
bers plundering at will. Cholera
broke out about ten days ago and is
very fatal and spreading."
From western provinces reports
are constantly being received of the
disturbed condition of the country.
(See article by Miss Pemberton, page
14D).
Since the defeat of Chang Chin-yao,
Hunan has been much more peaceful.
The Northern soldiers have, however,
been driven into the adjoining prov-
inces, creating difficulties wherever
they have gone.
In a letter from Yuanchow, written
on June 29th, Mr. Robert Porteous
says :
"About 20,000 soldiers are now re-
ported to be stationed in this city
and suburbs, with more arriving and
expected daily. All round our com-
pound the houses are choked full,
the homes of the Christians are being
commandeered, much to the discom-
fort and sufferings of the owners,
more especially those with fruit
gardens. The local Board of Trade
at Kiuhsiu (an outstation) com-
mandeered our chapel there, threat-
ened to burst it open if refused
admission. Over fifty soldiers were
given permission by the above men-
tioned Board of Trade to use Mis-
sion premises in spite of the protests
of our voluntary helper Mr. Hsia.
They gambled in the church, and the
Christians were refused admission
when they assembled for the Sunday
services. Several inns, temples and
ancestral halls were available and
could have provided ample accommo-
dation for the troops which were
thrust into our chapel."
Cholera. It seems that wherever
the Northern soldiers have gone
cholera has followed, and recently a
telegram was received from Mr.
Robert Porteous in the following
terms, "Request prayer — serious out-
break of cholera in city here — some
five hundred deaths. General Chang
Tsong-chang's advisor, Mr. So Ting-
cheung, Cantonese Christian, invited
General Chang to call at Mission
house yesterday. This telegram also
|by special favor gratis. General
Chang is giving $2,000 towards sup-
ply of anti-cholera medicine. Mis-
sionaries and Christians well." From
other districts also we are receiving
reports of cholera being prevalent.
Conflict in the West. Throughout
western Szechwan severe fighting
has also taken place, and at the pres-
ent moment it seems as if the Yun-
nanese General Tang Chi-yao, would
drive General Hsiong, the leader of
the Szechwanese, from Chengtu.
You will be glad to learn that latest
reports from Yunnan are to the ef-
fect that very definite steps are be-
ing taken to deal with the brigand
chief, Yang T'ien-fuh, and as a con-
sequence, battles between soldiers
and the robbers are constantly being
reported. We trust .that the time
will soon come when the way may
open for our fellow missionaries to
return to their various centres and
carry on the work among the tribes.
Thanksgiving. In spite of the dis-
turbed conditions throughout so
many of the provinces it is with
thanksgiving we can report that our
fellow workers are being ■ protected
and opportunities are being given
them for very definite service among
the soldiers as well as the refugees
who, in many districts, are taking
shelter in our Mission compounds.
Baptisms Decreased. The number of
baptisms recorded thus far (July 30)
is 2.131, being less than at the cor-
responding date last year by 730. This
fact may be accounted for by the un-
rest and turmoil prevalent through-
out the greater part of the country.
Mr. Hoste at Summer Gatherings.
About a fortnight ago Mr. D. E.
Hoste left us with the purpose of
paying visits to Kuling, Kikungshar.
and Chefoo, and we are much in
prayer that his ministry may be
greatly blessed to those who are
spending the summer at these
SEPTEMBER. 1920
Editorial Notes
A party for China will doubtless be leaving
before this month closes. It is expected to con-
tain four or five young ladies who are going
out for the first time, together with one or more
lady missionaries returning to their field. Later
parties may follow, and we ask prayer for those
who sail this month and for those who follow. The
difficulty of getting transportation at this time as
well as many other hindering circumstances make
the support of prayer specially desired.
By the loving kindness of the Lord and through
the goodness of one of His devoted servants, the
Mission has been able to purchase a house in
Princeton, New Jersey, which is to be for the per-
sonal use of Mr. and Mrs. Frost as long as they
live. This last is the will and expressed desire of
the donor and is for the purpose of giving the Home
Director and his wife a fixed and advantageous
abode. Princeton being located about half way
between Philadelphia and New York, it will be a
favorable place of residence in respect to Mission
service, and there being hundreds of young men
there most of the year, it will grant many oppor-
tunities of ministry. Will our friends please pray
that this new providential leading may be markedly
blessed of God. Mr. and Mrs. Frost's address will
be, 67 Prospect Avenue, Princeton. New Jersey.
The sad news has reached us that Mr. Edward L.
Merritt, who was formerly in our Mission, has sud-
denly passed away as a result of pneumonia and
heart failure. Mr. Merritt was obliged, a number of
years since, to retire from work in China because of
poor health. But residence in the home land and
surgical attendance had quite restored him to health
and activity and he and his wife were hoping to be
able to return to the field. Meanwhile, they had
gone to France to serve in connection with the
Chinese coolies there, and their work for these
needy men had been signally blessed of God. While
there and just on the eve" of his departure home-
ward, he has been called to a higher and holier
service. Mrs. Merritt writes with resignation and
even with praise, rejoicing in all that death has
brought to her loved one. We trust that she and
her young son will be remembered in prayer, as
also the father, mother and brother at Clifton
Springs.
The Chinese, always adepts at making puzzles,
have now one in their present political situation
which defies human solution. It spreads over the
whole territory of that great Republic of four
hundred million people. As in a labyrinth, the
only point from which the way out of such a maze
can be discovered is from above. God alone looks
upon it all without perplexity. He knows the out-
come ; we can but pray and wonder. But some of
the contrasts at the present moment are very ex-
traordinary. We read, even in this number of
"China's Millions." of the "Opened Rock" in Che-
kiang and of the cliff-hewn Buddha with stony-
hearted devotees in Szechwan. Again, we have the
encouraging news of good government under Gov-
ernor Yen in the province of Shansi while in the
adjoining province of Shensi there is fighting and
fear. These contrasts have not been forced to-
gether for effect, but simply fall into this issue by
the matter being at hand. They show a strange
situation. The "Shanghai Letter," prepared for
us this time by Mr. G. W. Gibb, gives us a further
view of disturbances with however many reasons
tor thanksgiving in the midst of them all. We
commend to the notice of our praying friends that
the prevalent condition of unrest and lawlessness
has affected the number of baptisms.
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in Him . . . stablished in the
faith, as ye have been taught" (Colossians 2: 6-7).
There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, to-day, who
are proclaiming from pulpit or desk or easy chair
that men may come to God another way than by
that recognition of a lost condition through sin and
need of the atoning blood of Christ, which marked
the faith of their simple-hearted. Bible-believing
parents and childhood's teachers. A large per-
centage of those who are presenting "another
Gospel" were brought up in the sound teaching
which they now call old-fashioned — as if that sav-
ing covering of sin, the righteousness of Christ,
were a garment that God could allow to be varied
in fashion from one generation to another. Many
a one of these who would assist others to climb up
another way, was taught, no doubt, at the family
altar or beside his mother's knee to have full faith
and confidence in the Word of God. to sincerely
plead God's promises in prayer, and to sing, "My
hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and
righteousness" ; or, it may be, moved by the Spirit
of God in some evangelistic meeting, the heart
hitherto hardened against tender leadings, admitted
its sin, bowed itself before the Cross, and the man
was converted, and saved. Such a one grew up,
assured of salvation and enjoying Christian experi-
ence upon the strength of his early faith and con-
fession, till influences foreign to the Word of God
and the Holy Spirit arose to challenge him. Then,
the life having perhaps grown reminiscent as to the
Word, his position as a Christian having become a
long-accepted fact rather than a spiritual renewal
day by day, his discipleship having receded to that
of one following rather "afar off," he listened to
men profanely attempting to put their Lord on
trial, tiil he himself was actually found at last
among those who are "denying the Lord that
bought them." As He looked upon Peter in the
high priest's house, so must our Savior now look
upon those who have once confessed Him to be
the Son of God and for whom we believe He is still
interceding, while they are pointing men to a way
other than that by which thev themselves came to
Him.
* CHINA'S MILLIONS
CHINA INLAND MISSION: ABSTRACT OF CHINA ACCOUNTS, 1919
DISPOSITION OF FUNDS REMITTED FROM ENGLAND, AMERICA AND AUSTRALASIA
AND DONATIONS RECEIVED IN CHINA DURING 1919
To Balance
To General and Special Accounts:-
Remitted from England
Nov. 30, 1918, to Nov. 3d. 1919-
Funds for General Purposes of the
Special Donations .including
$170.33 for outfits of mission-
aries on arrival in China), Nov.
5, 19 IS, to Oct. 21, 1919
SI. 29-, per tael— 8199.134.07)
*$197,008.05
? of exchange. 1
Tls. cts.
77,485 69
14.700 18
59.626 55
General and Special Accounts: —
By payments to missionaries for personal use 154,905 6
For the support of Chinese helpers, rents, repairs
of houses and chapels, travelling expenses, and
sundry outlays on account of the stations and
outstations of the Mission 95.250 2
For expenses of boarding and day schools (exclus-
ive of buildings and fees) 10.881 7
For Property Account of new premises at Cheng-
hsien, Fengsiang, Hungtung, Kaifeng. Kwang-
chow, Liang, how, Luchow, Sapushan. Tating,
Yunnanfu (including special funds, Tls.
19,125.22) 23.257 3
For medical missionary work, including hospital,
dispensary, and opium refuge expenses (exclus-
ive of buiMin'.'.- and local receipt^; also exclus-
ive of payments to medical missionaries for
For passages to England, America, and Australasi;
(including special funds, Tls. 6,772.05)
For famine relief, all special funds
Sale of Bhamo property
(Tls. 834.21 at SI. 29-.,— $1,094.20)
(Tls. 1.282.24 at $1.29%— $1,681.94)
•This amount includes the s
r 1918. On the other hand,
tWith the exception of Tls. i
in of Si:i,253.90 [emitted
. does not include the sum
.70 the whole of this balar
Tls. 354,524 46 (Tls. 312,611.40 at $1.29%— $410
:o China during November and December, 1918, which was n
of $50,400.47 remitted to China during October, November, a:
^e belongs to Special Accounts, to be used for particular paym
Tls. 354,524 4
We have examined the above Abstract with the
We have traced the items charged in the "Homi
referred to in the above note.
2 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2, loth May, 1
i, and find they are truly accounted for, with the exception of the it
(Signed) ARTHUR J. HILL. VELLACOTT & CO-
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, AUGUST, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
MISSIONARY AND
GENERAL PURPOSES
Date No. Am
2—967 $ 1„.„„
968 10.00
969 22. OS
4—973 100.00
974 60.00
975 25 . 00
5—977 185.05
5.00
500.00
100.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
25 00
100.00
5.00
2.00
1047... 20.00
—1049. . . . 5.00
1051. . . 3.000 oo
1052 ....
—1053 1,0C
1055. . . . 5,00
1056 ... 47 . 50
1057. ... 15.00
— 1058. . . 5.00
1059... 25.00
1062. . . 25.00
—1067. . . 200.00
—1068.... 50.00
1069 .... 9 . 25
1070 . 53.50
$12,008.78
L PURPOSES
Amount
5.00
35.00
10.0011
20 . 00
5.00
5.00
63.47
10.00
20.00
90.00
10.00
22. CO
25.00
25.00
6.00
1O...00
5.00
50.00
25.00
25 . 00
25.00
15.00
4.00
10(, 0.00
1.00
SO. 00
3.00
5.00
45.00
30.00
2.00
1.50
1.00
1.00
200 O0 i
50.00
10.00
MISSIONARY AND
GENERAL PURPOSES
Date No. Amount
TORON
Date No.
TO
50.00
50.00
5.00
10.00
100 00
10.00
.54 :
5.00
5.00
50.00
50.00
125.00
10.00
2.00
5.00
Amount
S 10.05
10.00
20.00
15 10
10.00
19—925
21— 928
24-930
25—936 . .
SUMMARY
From Philadelphia—
For Missionary and General Purposes $12,008.78
For Special Purposes 2,290.57
From Toronto —
For Missionary and
For Special Purpost
General Purposes .
y acknowledged. 1920
El
EBENEZER
VOL. XXVIIII. No. 10 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILUON5
EDleredai second-class matter. December 12, 1917. at the post office at Buffalo, N.Y.. under the Art of Congress of
March3. 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section I I 03. Act of October 3, 1917,
authorized July 18. 1918
MISSION OFFICES TORONTO MISSION OFFICES
GERMANTOWN nrmRPP loon 5 ° 7 CHURCH ST
PHILADELPHIA. PA ULIUBLK, 19ZU TORONTO. ONT
Shields of Brass —By John s,,„lh,-y 117 Conscience 'versus "Face"— Bv Rev. F. C.
What C hina does X( IT Need -B , K-. . G L H. Dreyer " 154
( Gelwlcki '■■■ ■•••••■■■■ ■■ I > With Tent Preachers at Taihaoling—Bv
X ByR^'n: \V. )"!'^' AN " '"' ""' '"''"' iw Mr. H.T.Ford 155
Boatmen's Troubles \nd mti-ksi i i i. ,vs Why They Go— Testimonies by New Workers
By \t,ss c. . 1 . Rug* I 52 ,„ Niagara Conference 156
Is Christian Teaching Once a Year Here and There 158
Enough?— By Miss R. L. Smalley loi
Prayer Makes > Differs e -By Mr . K '""' ER Calls-Pra.se Echoes . . . .158
JEH0VAMEH
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST, PRINCETON. N.J.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee. Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer.
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N.J.
Rev. Fred W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Rev. Joseph T. Kelley, D.D., Washington, D.C.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Atigeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
o debt. It guarantees no income to
the t
s the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
sre expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitations of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,400 native helpers,
>ome of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,800 stations and
outstations have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,S31 baptized in 1919.
it 52,400
! 1865,
77.(1.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia,
507 Church Street, Toronto, I
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane Philadelphia. P..
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applicatioi
n China should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at
Mission offices.
ess orders should be made payable to
Then
In the case of a donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of th<
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
' ' transmission, ' ' and for the private use of that individual.
FORM OF BEQUEST— I
i b-tue
-led
for the appro-
sa.d Mission;
.ha
the release of
irec
tor of said M.s-
>e
sufficient d.s-
ny
xecutors in the
FORM OF DEVISE— I
China Inland Mission (see note), all U
insert description of property) with thi
in fee simple. f<
,i,j..v
lease of the Hon
said Mission shall
discharge to my
the premises.
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows :
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic City).
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale. C.I.M. Representative, 6506 Vei
Superior, Wis.
i, 1206 Har
Tacoma. Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington, 811 So. Jum
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home. 507 Church St Friday . .
Vancouver, B.C.
Res.. Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representative, 1936
KeeferSt 3rd Frida:
"ible Training School. 356 Broad>
WEEKLY
Friday 8.00 p.m.
..Wednesday 8.00 p.m.
>r Ave. . Friday 3 . 30 p.m.
.Tuesday 8. 00 p.
. Mon. Afternoon
2nd Friday
West Vancouver, Union Church 3rd Tuesday
Y.W.C.A., Dunsmuir St
. 8.00 p.i
.8.00 p.i
. .8.00 p.i
last Wednesday .3.00 p.
SEMI-MONTHLY
. . 2nd 8. 4
.' Moi
. .8.00 p.m.
Albany. N.Y., Bible School. 107 Columbia St..
MONTHLY
..1st Thurs. (morn!.. 8. 30 a.m.
3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
9 East Ave .last Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Cleveland. Ohio, Res.. Miss Z. A. Broughton. 4223 Cedar Ave. 1st Monday 7. 30 p.i
Detroit, Mich., Res.. Mr. James Bain. 114 Stanford Ave 3rd Friday 8.00 p.:
Grand Rapl St. Bap. Church. .Thurs. preceding 1st Sunday. 8.00 p.i
Pontiac, Mich., Res., Mrs. Robt. Garner, 90 Oakland Ave.. .1st Friday 7.30 pi
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec, Mrs. Ed. J. Lee . 2nd Thursday 7.30 p.:
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch.. 23rd Ave. S. and
Bethel, 'Minn., The Baptist Church
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie^
Berkeley. Cal.', Res.', Mrs.' Rakestraw.'25i8 Dana
. .2nd Monday. . . . '. .7.45 p.m.
1st Thursday 8.00 p.m.
Sherwood, Ore.. Res.. Dr. Fosner 1st Tuesday
Seattle. Wash.. Res. Mr.O.i, i \ve. N . .2nd Tuesday .
Belli nib am, Wash, Alternately a' ""
F. M. Mercer, 2132 Walnut St. . .
t Y.W.C.A. and Res..
. .2nd Monday
. S.OOp.rr
..S.OOp.n
Halifax, N.S., /
Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty,
Armdale 2nd Monday 3. 15 p.m
Montreal, Que., Res.. Mr. T. David Fraser, 350 MacKav St. 1st Monday 4. 00 p.m
Ottawa. Ont.. At Y.W.C.-
Chairman, Com'd'r. Stephen
ibemacle, Temperance St..
. I. S. Pritchard.
Steven. C.I.M. Repre
e E.Pegg '.'."'
. 1st Wednesday.
Sec. Mi.
R.R.I. Brechin, Ont
Winnipeg, Man.. Res.. Mrs. W. R. Mulock,
Cres
Calgary, Alberta, Res.. Mr. Thos. Hugh
. 1st Wednesday.
1st Friday 3.00 p.m.
th Ave. W.lst Monday 8.00 p.m.
Bible Room. Fairfield Bldg., Cor-
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO OCTOBER, 1920
Shields of Brass
By JOHN SOUTHEY
AMID all the earthly glory of the reign of Solo-
mon, evil principles were at work which led
to the rending away of ten tribes from his
son, Rehoboam. After his grave initial mistake.
this latter King — and Judah — walked three years
in the way of David and Solomon, but when the
kingdom was established and he was strong, he
forsook the law of the Lord and all Israel with
him. Swift punishment followed, for Shishak, king
of Egypt, came 'against Jerusalem with a great
army, and though Rehoboam then humbled himself
and was forgiven, the Lord let him eat some of the
fruit of his ways, and Shishak took away the
treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's
house, and among other things the shields of gold
that Solomon had made. (2 Chronicles 12:1-12.)
There is something very pitiful, almost ludicrous,
in what followed — Rehoboam made in their stead
shields of brass which were carried' before him
when he entered into the house of the Lord Shields
of brass! What a descent from tine gold! Yet
they looked like gold, glittered in the sun, and might
deceive those not in the secret. But they were only
brass. They told the story of departed splendor,
and never deceived the Lord.
Is there something not altogether unlike this in
the history of the temple itself? Filled with divine
glory at its dedication, it was utterly destroyed
by Nebuchadnezzar, and though after the captivit}
a second temple was built, this latter house was so
far inferior to the former that at the laying of its
foundations the old men, who remembered the
departed glory, could only weep with a loud voice
while the young men shouted for joy. Later on,
this second temple was restored by Herod, and
when restored far exceeded even Solomon's temple
in outward magnificence, but with all its fair show
the true temple glory had departed, for there was
neither the ark, the holy fire, the shekinah, the
urim and thummin, nor 'the holy annointing oil
which could no longer be prepared its very com-
position being then unknown.
Yet, as Dr. Edersheim tells us, "All the more
jealously did the Rabbis draw lines of fictitious
sanctity, and guard them against all infringement."
Their fine gold had become brass and they gloried
in a hollow unreality, jealously guarding the empty
shell from what they deemed profanation. Their
accusation against Stephen was. "This man ceaseth
not to speak words against this holy place." Later
on there was the outbreak of fierce fanaticism, when
they thought that Paul had brought Trophimus, the
liphe^ian, into the temple. "He brought Greeks
also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy
place."
It is always the same. Man looks at that which
is without ; God at that which is within. Man
attaches a superstitious reverence to so-called
sacred buildings which in His eyes are only bricks
and stones. The great stones and buildings of the
temple might deceive the disciples, but they did not
the Master. "Your house is left unto you desolate."
"There shall not be left here one stone upon another
that shall not be cast down."
Has the Christian church, or any congregations of
it, lost the shields of gold and substituted for them
shields of brass? With the New Testament before
us, let us never say that this is an impossibility. If
words mean anything, the path of the church was to
be marked by spiritual declension rather than by
increased power and devotion. The later Epistles
are full of solemn warnings as to the character of
the latter days. Perilous times were to come. Men
would not endure sound doctrine, but would heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and
would have the form of godliness while denying
its power.
It is true that in the days immediately following
Pentecost there was not perfection, but they were
the best days the church has ever seen. They had
poverty, they had persecution. They had neither
costly buildings nor aesthetic surroundings. There
was a complete absence of the sensuous and of all
that would please the eye and ear of carnal men.
The Apostles' preaching was entirely devoid of
artificial eloquence and of human learning. They
were simply provincials speaking the Galilean
patois and were regarded as "unlearned and ignor-
ant men." They did not adjust their teaching to
the "modern mind" nor revise their theology to
meet the current thought of the day. They preached
Christ crucified, though to the Jews this was a
stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.
But the Holy Spirit was with them and such great
grace was upon them all that with great power
the Apostles gave their witness to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus. When threatened by the rulers,
they sought the Lord, and asking-, received ; tin-
place of meeting once being shaken, as if to signify
His approval. Their shields were of fine gold.
But dark clouds began to gather. Even in the
Apostle's lifetime ungodly men crept in unawares,
and false teachers arose, drawing away disciples
after them. Not more than sixtv-five years, at the
148
CHINA'S MILLIONS
outside, separated John's ministry at Jerusalem
from his banishment to Patmos ; and while he was
there, a prisoner, the Lord Himself revealed to him
grievous declension among the churches of Asia.
How solemn was the message by the faithful and
true witness to the angel of the church in Laodicea,
"I will spue thee out of My mouth."
Yet how bravely they were carrying their shields
of brass! How perfect was their self-complacency!
"We are rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing." How full of pity, yet how stern
was the Lord's reply. "Thou knowest not that thou
art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind,
and naked." Thou knowest not — that was the sad
part of it. Declension is so insidious,' and may be
accompanied by so much fleshly activity and appar-
ent prosperity, that only a few discern it, and they
are generally called pessimists and regarded as
troublers of Israel. But without a prayerful, humble
walk with God, Laodicean conditions are just as
possible in the twentieth century as in the first.
The glory of a church is the Lord's presence in the
midst, in saving, sanctifying power, and if this is
lacking, what is left? Shields of brass!
The late Dr. Andrew Bonar used to tell with much
solemnity, that at the beginning of his own minis-
try, an old minister of Christ said to him, "Re-
member, it is a remark of old and experienced men,
that very few men and very few ministers keep up
to the end the edge that was on their spirit at the
first."
What a needed warning ! It is all too possible for
us as individual believers to decline spiritually as
years pass on. It is not a question of the animal
buoyancy and exuberance of youth giving way to
the mature sobriety of age, but of spiritual declen-
sion, all the more dangerous if it can be said of us
as of Ephraim (Hosea 7:9), "Yea, gray hairs arc-
here and there upon him, and he knoweth it not."
How strikingly good old John Bunyan brings
this declension before us in "The Holy War," attri-
buting it largely to one Mr. Carnal Security who
came to live in the Town of Mansoul. And truly
if carnal security comes in, it will not be long before
the shields of gold are lost and only shields of brass
are left.
But if we have ears to hear, the Captain of our
Salvation has provided even for this. How match-
less was the grace that could say to lukewarm
Laodicea, where there was little but brass, "I
counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich ; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear." Yes, He has abundance
of gold and white raiment to sell on His own royal
terms. "He that hath no money ; come ye, buy. . . .
without money and without price." Let us go in
our bankruptcy, never excusing ourselves, and at
His pierced feet receive abundantly gold tried in
the fire, and raiment white as snow so as no fuller
on earth can white it.
What China Does NOT Need
By Rev. GEORGE L. GELWICKS (Am
IN Christ's command, beyond Samaria lay the
uttermost parts of the earth. If I should appeal
for your interest in China alone, I should be as
guilty as those who would have you ignore the
foreign field because of the needs at home. So
while I speak of China, I speak for the world. When
the Gospel entered Samaria it found things that
would oppose or pervert it, or fain be substitutes
for it. But Philip, unswerved, preached Christ unto
them. So to-day there are interests in and of China
which are no essential part of the redemption of
the land, while to the Christian it is China's redemp-
tion that must be the foremost concern.
The first of these non-essentials is political refor-
mation. When the Revolution came, there was a
phrase constantly on the lips of every one : "We
are brothers, born of a common mother." The
revolutionary leaders did not lack intelligent ideas
of what was involved when they set about to erect
a republic. Not only the Chinese, but many friends
of China from other lands, fondly expected the
Revolution to resolve itself into a great moral
revival. But many Chinese, who were ardent repub-
licans, testify that corruption is as rife as during
Manchu rule. The ideas have come but the dynamic
is not sufficient. Says a Chinese leader of thought,
"We used to say that if the political machine could
be changed, all would be right, and we gave our-
selves to the study of government. Well, the
, Presbyterian Mission. North), Hengchow, Hunan
machine has been changed and things are as they
were. So now men are trying to change the material .
out of which the machine is made." Be assured
that the church of Christ in China will go stead-
fastly on, bearing its witness and winning its
triumphs, no matter what form of government may
prevail.
The second thing on which redemption does not
depend is a new industrial or economic order. Agri-
culture is the great vocation of China, and for the
most part depends on primitive methods. One
man, having the support of a family, with his ox
can cultivate about two acres of grain land. In
industrial life, both artisans and merchants are in
the era of the small shop, with a personal bond
between proprietor and his few workmen. Most
articles of commerce are made by hand or hand
machinery. Now graft on this social order the
factory system of the Occident, with the bitterness
of its impersonal conflict between capital and labor,
and who dares to say that it will be for the
best? It is so easy and yet so fatal to confuse
material progress with moral power. The fact
that China has over 6,300 miles of railroad and
40,000 miles of telegraph, does not of necessity help
to bind its people closer to the throne of God.
These may even become chains to drag them further
away.
A third essential (?) to China's redemption is that
OCTOBER, 1920
Photograph* by a Chinese photographer
it should become a strong military nation. Scarcely
two decades ago Americans lauded the aggressive
way in which Japan made herself a modern, which
is to say military, power ; and drew comparisons
between that land and China which was very un-
complimentary to the latter. Japan has laid hands
on the material fruit from the West, without being
overcareful to transplant its spiritual root, and
to-day these Americans are seeing in her a national
menace. Yet it is still being said that China lacks
an essential of greatness because it is not prepared
to defend itself in fight against every comer. The
Chinese are a peace-loving race, accustomed to
mind their own business, who prefer earning a liv-
ing to running amuck in conquest. Cannot China
be great, or what is better, useful in the world,
without striding into the arena of nations like a
pirate of the main, sword and revolver in hands,
and bowie knife in belt ?
In Samaria the Gospel, found men and women
willing to believe and great joy followed their con-
fession of faith. So it is in China to-day. I might
help you to feel this by telling how, from the day
of Morrison's heroic beginnings, on to the end of
thirty-five years of mission work, there were only
six known Chinese Christians. Modern standards
Campaigning in the
By Rev. HERBERT
WHERE may the land of the blue poppies be?
In Yunnan, China, to be sure, where there are
blue poppies, bluer mountains and bluest
skies. The campaigning refers to a missionary and
a Lisu lad from Burma, and the Gospel work it was
their privilege to do on a 700-mile trip which in-
cluded Tali, Yuanmow, and Likiang.
We walked. Pedestrianism is painful only on the
first few days but by the fourth day the pedestrian
is glad he is alive — a fact, by the way, that he
might have had serious doubts of two days before —
and he begins to enjoy life as he never Could have
done at home.
The trip to Tali was over the main road. The
roads were dusty after months of dry weather. A
sturdy farmer overtook us at one of the turns in
of efficiency, that insist on judging everything by
visible success, would long since have thrown the
entire enterprise on the scrap heap. But God's
geometrical progression was in operation, till in
1900, of the 100,000 Protestant church members in
the land, not less than one-tenth voluntarily laid
down their lives for the once despised name of
Jesus. They could have escaped by burning a bit
of incense, or stepping on the form of a cross traced
on the ground, but they had come to love some-
thing better than life. Within eight years after
that persecution more Chinese were baptized into
the Christian church than during all the fifty years
preceding it.
I might continue the story to this day. Says a
missionary who has charge of an extensive work,
"The Chinese are not hungering for the Gospel,
but they are at the parting of the ways and their
attitude is no longer one of antagonism. As never
before they are willing to listen to the claims of
Christianity, as being possibly the very solution of
bitter problems that have troubled them for cen-
turies." Missionaries from every part of the land
can testify that these words are being verified in
their experience.
Land of Blue Poppies
FLAGG, Tengyueh, Yunnan
the road. Soon we learned that our friend was going
to "Dog Market" to buy pigs. The Lisu boy who
was not very familiar with these idiosyncrasies of
nomenclature which are rather common in China.
was considerably amused at the combination and
we all smiled.
\fter satisfying the farmer's curiosity as to the
reason the foreigner came to China we exhorted
him, telling him of the Lord who bought his
redemption from sin upon the cross, concluding the
wayside exhortation with the Chinese sentence,
"law hsin k'ao t'a" (You should believe on Him).
"Oh," said he, in the tone of voice of a man upon
whom great light has dawned. "Oh ! — I see. lad
hsin k'eo t'eng, — Ga !" At that, even the coolie who
was hard-put-to-it with a steep hill and a heavy
150
CHINAS MILLIONS
load, burst into, a hearty laugh. With all the hind-
rances to clear enunciation the foreigner had suc-
ceeded in saying, "You should believe in Him," so'
that the auditor had heard, "You should contract
the heartburn." It was to be sincerely regretted
that the similarities and differences between diges-
tive and ethical heartburn which exists in our
language would be very difficult to explain to a
Chinese farmer.
On the following day we almost made the ac-
quaintance of robbers. The long day was drawing
to its close as we approached a halting place where
a rough booth made of pine branches had been
erected. On the western horizon the sun had
dropped until it almost touched the undulating line
that made a profile of dark blue against the lighter
haze of the sky. In between, like the waves of a
troubled sea showed the rounded tops of line after
line of hills. A Likin officer and his wife were just
leaving as we came up. We little realized as the
mountain chairs went out of, sight around a spur
in the hill that before we met again the man would
have lost all his money besides receiving a severe
thrashing at the hands of the highwaymen.
The sun had disappeared below the rolling sky-
line as we turned the brow of the hill above the
village, where we expected to spend the night. At
that moment the coolie saw something that made
his hair bristle with fright. A crowd of villainous-
looking thugs were coming up the road on the
double-quick, armed with clubs and spears that
might have been used in the crusades and guns that
might have been with Napoleon in Moscow. We
were wondering what we had done to deserve this
reception to the village, when we established com-
munication with the vanguard of the rabble.
"Have you seen them?" they panted, rather
wheezy from running up the hill.
We knew instinctively that the pronoun referred
to robbers, but we were decidedly doubtful of the
status before the law of the men who asked the
question. It was problematical to say the least.
"Who are you after now?"
"Robbers," they cried as they continued their
evening constitutional up the hill.
They were a posse of the local braves in pursuit
of robbers. Others, while getting their breath, told
us that the Likin officer had lost all his money and
had been severely beaten by the back edges of the
robbers' knives.
Who could- repress a smile as they' puffed and
grunted past us. How earnestly they would be
running in the opposite direction if robbers in any
numbers were in sight ! They were "saving their
face" before the magistrate and the Likin officer.
Before we reached Tali we heard of another rob-
ber trap into which we might have walked had we
not observed Sunday at Chutong.
As we passed up the inside river road we saw a
column of two hundred soldiers who seemed to be
out on a picnic. They were strolling down the road
singing and rollicking like schoolboys. Their offi-
cers, on horseback, brought up the rear. Had they
been asked, they probably would say that they were
chasing robbers. Another military officer was
"saving his face." We are sure that he caught no
robbers by those methods.
At Tali we spent an enjoyable three weeks at-
tending the annual church meetings and selling
scriptures on the Fair. The church meetings occu-
pied a week, with a women's meeting each morning
and an afternoon and evening session each day.
The general subject for the conference was
"Growth." and various aspects were ably dealt with
by the native brethren. On the Tali fair three stalls
were operated, one each for men and women, where
preaching services were held, and one for the sale
of Christian books.
We took to the road again, still traveling west
with Mr. Cowman's station as an objective.
At Yunnanhsien we left the main road and on the
following morning while we were eating breakfast
in the kitchen of the inn we had the opportunity to
tell our hostess of the Good Xews of Salvation.
Pointing to the kitchen god we said, "You shouldn't
worship that thing. It can't hear what you say
and cannot help or harm you. You should "worship
the true God who knows all your thoughts." Her
answer was food for thought. What a challenge to
Christians ! "There was no one to tell me differ-
ently ! How could I know any better !"
The cool mountain breezes, after a night of
misery in a hot inn on the plain, were most refresh-
ing. At Taku* Ave found things prospering in the
Lord. Is it not true that one of the best things
that can be said of a church is that it is a missionary
church ? The Taku church is already sending out
well-equipped workers into gospelless Lisu fields.
It is a missionary church, ten years after work was
begun among a demon-worshiping, godless people.
Do the Lisu make good Christians ? When one
sees things happen as they have in the past few
years in the Taku field, the question arises. "Do
we Anglo-Saxons make good Christians?"
On the trip across country to Likiang Mr. Gow-
man accompanied us for two days. The road crosses
*This visit was made before the work was checked
by the brigand raid reported in our May and July num-
bers. Please pray that the missionaries may soon be able
to return.
OCTOBER, 1920
151
the Yangtse twice. The first stage out of Taku
was a long one. We were fifteen hours and ten
minutes on the road and covered 43 miles or more.
We stayed at Shan Chi with a rather remarkable
man — the wealthiest man in his village (see photo-
graph). A year before, he had removed hi- tokens
of idolatry and demonolatry. He was closely
watched by every one of his friends and neighbors,
but he did indeed
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone.
Dare to have a purpose true,
Dare to make it known.
The prayers of the Taku church went to tin- Throne
tor their "Daniel." that he should not be unduly
tried or caused to fall by sickness. The neighbors
wondered whether the demons would "bite him/'
or in other words whether he or his would fall sick.
"Sirs! Are you from God's country?" was the
question of a young Lisu we met north of Shan
Chi on the following morning. Mr. Cowman could
have told him that God's country was very much
nearer him than he even suspected, for that same
morning nine families of Shan Chi had destroyed
their paraphernalia of heathen worship. The pray-
ers of the Taku church, the faithful work of theil
evangelists, and the bold stand of this Lisu Daniel
had borne its fruit. We revelled in iconoclasm and
tore down more "Heaven and Earth" posters in
two hours than would be removed in Tengyueh in
thirty years at the present rate.
The last to fall in line was the village sorcerer.
He remarked that he might as well follow the
others because his business was gone. We made a
pile of the trash by a steam below the village and
had a bonfire celebration.
When Mr. Gowman returned he spent several
days with the people of Shan Chi. Their first
request was that they be taught how to pray to
the true God — "For now we mustn't pray to demons,
and we don't know how to pray to God yet."
As we came west the scenery became more majes-
tic and beautiful. We passed through shaded glades
and dells that would have graced any sylvan park.
verhead seemed almost within stone's
is they flecked the bold crags above us. In
ly morning sunlight the prominent outlines
-now mountain at Likiang could be seen
K>ve the great range on the other side of
walked down beautiful lanes heavy with
i jasmine and white wild roses. The morn-
ezes stirred the trees and all the hills sang
t music of the pines when the wind blows
I he sharp spurs of the beetling crags
v Mountain showed a clear black in contrast
gleaming white of the snows which crowned
each crystal must have been sending forth
; rays for it was a dazzling white.
e descended into the Yangtse gorge the large
i the ranges on either side of the river came
w. They flanked the high river bluffs like
tresses on a cathedral. They showed down
ge in two rows of deeper and deeper shades
and in .the centre of this wonderful per-
e vista was a prominent peak which might
een two sides of a pyramid so regular and
trical in outline it was. On either side of
id were rhododendron trees. A few weeks
the whole hillside was a blaze of scarlet
iprinkled with pink, and all beautifully set
waxen green of the leaves and the chocolate
brown of the soil.
We went down until the clouds looked like esca-
drilles of airships floating lazily in the aerial cur-
rent far above our heads — still down, until the knee
muscles ached with hours of descent — down to
where the murky Yangtse rolls its sullen floods
among the great black stone blocks that lie in
its bed. Then we crossed the swaying chain bridge
and climbed the precipitous slope on the other side
with new surprises at every step.
It is to be regretted that all these beauties of
nature are beyond the reach of most 'travelers.
With the exception of an occasional exploring
scientist and the missionary, very few foreigners
see scenes such as these.
glory
in the
152
Boatmen's Troubles and Superstitions
By Miss GERTRUDE A. RUGG, Yiianchow. Kiangsi
DELAYED by head winds, we went to a service
in the school held fortnightly by a v><nting
evangelist. Before he had quite finished, the
boatman came and shouted to his wife that the wind
was round in the south and we must come. But
how we did thank God for this opportunity, for
not only had many of the street women been at-
tracted in, but Mrs. Cheo (our boatwoman) had
heard the Gospel fully and faithfully told by one
whom she could thoroughly understand. The river
\\ as in flood, and as we had to go over the great
• stretch of rushing water, it needed a strong wind
to carry the boat to the other side.
The next morning, as the trackers were pulling
up river, a quarrel arose with a smaller boat's crew,
about the bamboo rope attached to the mast head
by which the boats are drawn. An awful fight
ensued. The men jumped into the water and seized
the great punting poles, a crowd of shrieking,
struggling, frantic men and women gathered on the
bank, hurling lumps of clay and stones at our boat.
1 went out and tried my best, but just as they
were pushing off, up would blaze another spark
into flame. I went inside and prayed that no one
might be hurt nor the boats damaged.
We stopped at Changshu, renowned throughout
the land as a medicine depot. We made a hurried
visit to the Hall as the missionaries were away.
Soon after leaving this city, the Kan River is left
and the Yuan River is entered. I cannot describe
to you the loveliness of the gorges, or of the wider
stretches with great range beyond range of moun-
tains in the distance, and the quaint picturesque
roofs of Chinese houses among the bamboo and
other trees. Kiangsi is one of the loveliest pro-
vinces in China.
We pass three or four big cities with little pon-
toon bridges which open to the yells of the boat-
men raised in good time to let the bridgekeeper
awake, shake himself and stumble from the tea
shop or gambling den. At the riverside he gets a
few cash dropped into the little bag held out on the
end of a bamboo cane and many execrations drop-
ped into his ears for his delay. These he returns
in full quota ; those he keeps.
Approaching a longer and more dangerous rapid
than usual one day, the other boats let off crackers
and burned incense — our boat did not. A few yards
ahead and we struck a rock ! The boatman wailed
and cried to the idol whom he had neglected. He
blamed the foreigner ; for it was trusting to her
God to protect, which he deemed had misled him.
He was undone, his case was hopeless, what should
he do!
"Venerable father ! Venerable father ! do not blame
me. I will never come this way again without hon-
oring you, and burning incense. Alas, alas, all the
salt will be lost, and I am a ruined man ! Oh where
lias all my luck gone !" Stamping up and down in
his frenzy and despair he said he would jump into
the river.
CHINA - S MILLIONS
His plucky little wife, meanwhile, with real con-
cern on her face and few words on her tongue, took
off her shoes and began tugging up the boards,
ordering a pale sickly passenger to bale out the
water in the front. The trackers were all ashore
and could not reach the boat, so they all squatted
down on their haunches and watched.
The companion boat came along and took off
some of the cargo, the captain suggesting to our
boatman that it might be just as well to delay his
seeking a watery grave. Then the trackers, with
the help of another gang, backed the boat; a
great colossal man came and lifted up the great
mats of salt out of the hold.
The captain gradually subsided and we found that
we were neither drowned nor wrecked and there
was little less of our precious cargo. But, alas,
from this time on, the crackers did not fail to be
let off, and always there was incense burned at the
little shrine on the wall — "They that sit in dark-
ness !"
What Christian Schools Mean to Chinese
Girls
By Miss ANNIE SHARP, Chowkiakow, Honan
AT first I saw the difficult side of school work
here among a people that are poor, backward,
conservative, and some of them almost un-
friendly. I now see the privilege of being here, of
being allowed to have a part in this pioneer work
for girls' education in Honan. I see how the want
of mission schools throughout our district here
has meant shortage of intelligent, efficient workers
in the church.
As I see the crowds of Chinese men and women,
boys and girls, around, it is borne in on me with
ever-increasing intensity that China's salvation
must come through her own people, i.e., that more
and more we must lay stress on winning the young
for our Master, Jesus Christ, in training and fitting
them to be leaders and workers among their own
people.
I spent a holiday at Hankow during the Chinese
New Year vacation, and there I visited several large
girls' schools and met many of these school gradu-
ates, Chinese girls and ladies of refinement, educa-
tion and character. One is in private practice in
Hankow as a doctor, another doing magnificent
work as superintendent of several schools, others
as bible-women, and many teaching in the schools
from which they graduated. One met these women
as equals, dined with them, drank tea with them,
and talked with them of many things in common.
I couldn't help feeling the contrast between these
girls in Hankow and our girls here. And how is it?
What was the cause? Surely this, that these girls
in Hankow had come into touch with Him who
said, "I am come that ye may have life, and may
have it to the full." Missionaries had "given them
a chance," and they had taken it. and made the most
of it. How like home girls they were (most of
them Were from wealthy homes) with their singing,
cooking, French lessons, and their Girl Guides (the
OCTOBER. 1920
first Chinese Girl Guides, I believe). Then I thought
of the girls here, most of them in dreary, dirty
homes, with their "cabined, cribbed and confined"
lives, and of the girls to whom our little school
here with its small premises and many inconveni-
ences, had brought help and happiness ; and I
thought again, and think still, of what might be
if only we could do far more for these girls.
Is Christian Teaching Once a Year, Enough ?
By Miss R. L. SMALLEY, Ninghaichow, Shantung
IN March I left home and stayed away five weeks
in country work. Everywhere there is encour-
agement, yet to one's amazement aYid disap-
pointment, the men do not seek the Gospel Hall
when they come into market. In two homes the
kitchen god was taken down. But as someone said,
these visits need to be followed up more closely.
Once in two years or even once a year is not
enough, even for those who are really in earnest.
Last year I first tried to fit in the places missed
the year before, with the result that others were
left out. We have about twelve places where we
can rent a room and stay for a fortnight.
From June 22nd to July 15th I was at our out-
station and had a more than usual welcome.
Promising little girls and bright young "si-fuhs"
(daughters-in-law) came freely about me. I was
living in the midst of work all day* long. The
people have at last opened a girls' school. About
forty attended and these with others who have not
the privilege of being in school were delighted to
come to our place. I was taken to the school house
and found the school master's family a very pleas-
ant one.
At night we had a kind of Gospel meeting —
mostly singing. School boys and men came 'in. One
night one of our city Christians came unexpectedly
and gave a very earnest address. We do so wish
he and his wife would lay their all upon the altar.
In two villages in different directions there are
groups of women willing to be taught. It is a
pleasure to be a help to them.
Photograph hy Rev.H. W. Fh
153
Prayer Makes a Difference
By Mr. ALLYN B. COOKE, Tengyueh, Yunnan
MORE and more do I believe in the supreme im-
portance of prayer in the Lord's work. We
have just had a striking example of this while
visiting some Lisu in a district southeast of Teng-
yueh. This is a new district in which there have
previously been no Christians.
Mr. Fraser, several years ago, paid a flying visit
to the village where I am now, staying only one
night. Other than that, the people tell me no white
man has ever been here before. This village, Big
Nitre River by name, and one other, have been
much prayed for since then. The other villages
have not been prayed for except in a general way.
A number of friends have been praying especially
for blessing from this trip.
The only way in which we could get in touch
with these people, was to go to the nearest Chinese
market and wait for market day with the hope of
meeting some of them at that time.
We did not even know what day was market
day, so we found when we got there we had just
missed one and would have to wait five days for
another. However, "by Heavenly-chance express,"
as some one has expressed it, we met a Lisu on
the road just outside of Hsiangta, the Chinese mar-
ket town. The two Lisu helpers who were with
me, went home with him after leaving me and my
things with a Chinese Christian. The following
day they brought two other Lisu* back with them.
The third day we left for "Lisuland," reaching
just after dark a village called Holiangho, or Worm-
wood Valley. The man with whom we stayed was
quite interested in learning to read the Lisu script.
In the morning, we went on again about a mile
and a half to another village where there was a
wedding. About a hundred people were gathered
there, which gave us a splendid opportunity — ar-
ranged beforehand by God — for although some were
drunk, a number were sober and heard the message
of salvation.
A man from Big Nitre River came to meet us,
and asked us to go home with him. We had already
planned to spend the next day 'at the wedding
(lasting three days) as there would be an even
larger number of people there the second day.
The following morning we had another splendid
opportunity of preaching to some of the people.
One man expressed his willingness to believe and
promised to tear down his demon worship para-
phernalia at Chinese New Year about two weeks
later.
The man from Big Nitre River was in a rather
embarrassing position, not having been invited to
the feast, and again asked us to go with him. The
Lord was clearly leading, so there was nothing to
do but divide our party, one of the helpers staying
at the wedding and the other going with me to
Big Nitre River, about seven miles away.
What was my surprise to find another wedding
feast going on! At this gathering there was even
a larger company than at the one we had just left.
154
CHINA'S MILLIONS
And here I noticed a great difference. Many of
the people got up from the feast to come and hear
the Gospel. The host had to ask me not to play my
violin until after they had finished eating. The
people crowded around so that we cquld scarcely
move or breathe. I wish you could have seen them !
Yes, they were dirty, but what did that matter?
We could stand a little dirt if that would help us
to win them to Christ. If we had Objected to their
crowding around us they might have gone from the
room altogether. Where the people at the first
place were interested, the people here were really
hungry to hear and learn.
Finally I went to bed leaving the helper to talk
to them and teach them. They did not let him go
until long after midnight.
Because of such conditions, I say that prayer
makes a difference. In the face of this can you
fail to pray for the work?
Please remember the villages where the people
were not so enthusiastic, Wormwood Village, Um-
brella Village, and Green Root River. I do not
mean to say that the people in these villages are
not anxious to learn ; for they made the helpers
leave some books with them when they left, so
they would be sure to come back again. But the
difference had become even more noticeable when
I left for there were eighteen Christian families at
Big Nitre River to three or four in the other places.
The next morning after the midnight class, the
people were at it again early — and this, remember,
was all at a wedding feast, when the people had
come together for a good time ! Several promised
to burn their spirit tablets and things connected
with demon worship at Chinese New Year. In the
afternoon, the man who came after us led us to his
home about half an hour's walk from the main
village. There after prayer and some helpful words
from the Lisu helper we had a house cleaning in
which I very willingly took part. The spirit tab-
lets and other things made a good bonfire and I
certainly considered it a privilege and honor to
assist in burning these things for the first Christian
family in this district.
I hope there will soon be a great number of
Christian families here. Will you not pray that it
may be so?
As I write, I am sitting on the side of my bed
with my eyes full of smoke from the wood fire in
the middle of the floor. The room is full of students
who are learning to read. I am finding it quite diffi-
cult to write amid the hum of voices and with the
people continually coming to me asking questions.
However I trust that I have made clear to you the
need for prayer and for men, too, for there are
thousands of tribespeople in this part of China who
would be just as ready to receive the Gospel if some
one could take it to them.
Will you pray that those who take a stand will
make good, strong, spiritual Christians?
When I left, after Chinese New Year, there were
twenty-six Christian families. The latest word is
that there are thirty-seven. A number of other
villages have asked to be taught.
Conscience versus "Face"
By Rev. F. C H. DREYER, Hungtung, Shansi
A LADY missionary had a Christian cook named
Yu-hsi, whom she sent to the Bible Institute
for training. Years before, when in the em-
ploy of another lady missionary, he had habitually
"squeezed," but as that had been long since given
up, he paid no more attention to it. Here, at the
Bible Institute his conscience began to trouble him
about this and he felt he ought to confess.
He started several letters but always ended by
writing on general topics — he simply could not write
of his misdeeds. Last autumn he was at death's
door with the influenza. Then he promised the
Lord he would really make a clean breast of it all.
He is a Shantung man, and when the missionary
lady engaged him, she inquired about his family.
The man who recommended him was supposed to
be a Christian (but has now long since been a back-
slider). He told the missionary that Yu-hsi had a
wife and a little boy living with his mother-in-law
at home in Shantung. When Yu-shi heard this, he
said: "But that is "not true. I have a wife and a
little girl — not a boy."
"What difference does it make to the missionary
whether it is a boy or a girl?" replied the man.
"I have already said it is a boy and } r ou had better
stick to that and say the same."
So, in a moment of weakness, Yu-hsi followed
this advice and told the missionary that he had a
wife and a boy! Having told this lie once, he v. is
of course obliged to continue telling it. To every-
one else he spoke of his girl. To the missionary he
had to be careful always to speak of his boy! This
worked fairly well till it was proposed that he
should go. and fetch his wife and child and bring
them to live with him here in Shansi. What was
he to do now? In his dilemma he unburdened his
heart to a friend, who also was a professed Chris-
tian (but who like the other man did not do much
at it, and has also given it up).
This man said : "I'll tell you what to do. The
lady has not asked after your child for a long time,
so when the matter comes up. all you need to do is
to explain to her that your boy died, and that your
wife adopted a niece in his stead. That will put
everything right in the most simple way."
Not seeing how else to get out of his difficulty
he adopted this proposal. As it happened, the
mother-in-law was unwilling for her daughter to
go so far from home, so the matter ended there for
the time being.
It was so far satisfactory that he had managed
to get his bogus "boy" turned into a real girl, and
he could at last speak to all alike about his girl.
But conscience dies hard, and although he did his
best to let bygones be bygones, this thing would
keep coming up to trouble him at all sorts of
awkward times, until as mentioned above, he made
a clean breast of it all and wrote humbly begging
the missionary's forgiveness as he had long before
asked God's forgiveness. Needless to say, his re-
quest was readily granted, and his guilty conscience
set at rest. He is a quiet, conscientious, prayerful
OCTOBER, 1920
man, whose spiritual influence has made itself felt
among his classmates. Haying just completed the
two years' course at the Bible Institute, he has left
for his home and we are confidently hoping that
the Lord may use him greatly.
With Tent Preachers at Taihaoling
By Mr. HENRY T. FORD, Taikang, Honan
ABOUT a mile outside the north gate of the city
of Chenchow is one of the largest temples in
this part of China. The outer walls enclose'
nearly two hundred acres of land. It is devoted
mainly to the worship of Fu Hsi. the first man.
The name by which the temple is usually known is
Tai-hao-ling (Tai-hao, literally "All Highest," and
ling, a "mound" over a grave).
A legend runs that when Confucius was in this
district, about 500 B.C.. some farmer turned up a
skull while ploughing. The skull was shown to
Confucius, who pronounced it to be that of Fu Hsi,
"the first man." He ordered it to be carefully and
reverently re-buried. In the morning a large
mound of earth had been blown up over it by the
four winds. The mound here is visited yearly by
tens of thousands of worshipers.
The whole of the second month is devoted to wor-
ship, and worshipers come from near and far. It
is very difficult to estimate the numbers, for at the
same time a fair is going on in the temple grounds
and round about them. The grounds are very
spacious, so that those who go have ample room to
roam and --it about in the intervals between the
three daily acts of worship. Hence there is a very
big opportunity for preaching the Gospel, and the
last few years permission has been obtained to
pitch tents in the temple grounds.
This year we were able \<> have four tents —
three, each forty feet by twenty feet, wen- used
for preaching, one bein^- reserved during the day
for women only. A fresh attraction at night this
year was large incandescent lanterns (300 candle
power); consequently the tents were crowded for
three hours every evening, the listeners only leaving
under protest when the preachers were quite tired
out. We calculated that each day about ten
thousand persons entered the tents and got some-
thing of the Gospel message. The preachers were
much encouraged by the attention given, especially
in the evenings. Formerly many went away re-
marking, "Of course, worship I leaven and earth!"
but now nearly all who are heard to remark any-
thing say. "They are exhorting us to believe and
worship Jesus."
The crowds last for at least twenty days. Each
tent has two or three paid men responsible for
looking after it, but the majority of the speakers
are voluntary. Thirty-six men and thirteen women
gave about two hundred and fifty days between
them, apart from the time occupied in traveling.
The temple is in the care of Taoist priests, who
stand in front of the images, telling the worshipers
to kowtow, and asking for money. They are a
wicked lot, and one of their plans of getting money
ght to our notic
most uniortunate
The son of a voluntary preacher came to see his
father, and went by himself, early in the morning,
to have a look around. When he reached the main
hall one of the priests! !) seized him and accused
him of being a pickpocket and of having stolen five
dollars. He, of course, denied it, and referred his
accusers to the Preaching Tent. This seems to
have enraged the priest, who bound his hands
behind his back and hurried him off to. a side court-
yard, where, with the assistance of three others.
he was unmercifully beaten and taken to a loft,
and there suspended" to the beam by the arms, still
bound behind his back. In the afternoon a man
informed one of the preachers, in a very round-
about way, where a boy, who said his father was
a preacher, might be found.
The father and two others went but could not
find or hear any trace of him. They were just
coming away in despair when one of them saw a
rope, hanging down from outside the loft, and a
ladder. He pulled himself up and crept through the
window. There he saw the poor boy hanging by
the arms to the beam, almost speechless with
exhaustion and pain, having been hanging five or
six hours, 'fhe}' quickly had him down. and. sending
for more of the Christians, went with the boy to
see if they could find his torturers. They found one,
whom they seized. One of the preachers is a retired
policeman, so he knew just how to take the villain.
I was in a good deal of pain that day through a
Id i
rd. aski
'd
to take the priesl
next day to* thank-
he gang of priests
he loft should be
eeds could be done
- are very friendlv
do nothing of the
The reason this hoy was tied up with a view to
doing him to death, was that, having found him to
In- connected with us, they were afraid to let him
go, knowing that we should want to go into the
matter. Had lie not been found he would cer-
tain! v have been killed and his body done away with.
Although the lad had attended our school in the
city at Taikang and knew the Gospel, he is not a
believer, but he says he knows God hears and ans-
wers prayer, for he was praying all the time he was
hanging to the beam that God would send someone
to find him. Will you join us in prayer that he may
seek and find the Lord Jesus as his Savior? and
also for the many who heard the Gospel, and the few
who believed?
CHINA'S MILLIONS
Why They Go
Testimonies given at the Niagara Conference by three of the five
By Miss CARRIE G. ANDREWS
IT gives me great delight to speak for the Lord. I have
nothing to say about myself, because the Lord has
been my strength and my all.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall
I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom
shall I be afraid?" "For this God is our God for ever and
ever: He will be our guide even unto death." "Bless the
Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His
holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not
all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who
healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from
destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and
tender mercies." "The Lord hath done great things for
us; whereof we are glad." "What shall I render unto
the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the
cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord."
I want to speak, first of all, of my joy in the Lord,
because He has saved me. He chose me before the foun-
dation of the world and then sent His son for my salva-
tion. I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior,
that He loved me and gave Himself for me. Should the
Lord come before I get to China, it will be my delight
through all ages to sing unto Him who loved me. If,
by His grace, He takes me to China, this shall be my
theme, — the One who "made peace by the blood of His
cross." And if by some strange providence I should be
kept right here, this shall be all my message, — the One
who "made peace by the blood of His cross." He is no
respecter of persons, and if there be one here who does
not know Him as personal" Savior, He is ready and
willing to save you just now, if you will look to Him
in faith.
I want to thank God for the human instruments He
used in saving me. I do not know even the approximate
year when I accepted Christ, but just as one knows that
he was born some time from the fact that he is alive
now, so I know that some time I was born again through
faith in His shed blood, because I now rejoice in it
alone as my salvation. Twenty-one years ago Mr. W.
R. Newell was in our city preaching, and my dear
mother was saved as he unfolded that text, "He that
heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent me hath
everlasting life, and sha*ll not come into judgment, but
is passed out of death into life." Wherever Mr. Newell is
this afternoon, may God bless and reward Him! It was
through my mother's reiterating this truth to me over
and over again that the Lord saved me.
Ever since, the Lord has been training me. He has
been so good and patjent with me when cold and way-
ward !
"Though I forget Him and wander .away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me."
As someone has said "What a Bringer-back of His own
He is!" I want to thank the Lord for the training I
have had. My mother has been my Bible School. In
that first year under Mr. Newell she wore out a Bible,
and it was her delight to teach us everything she learned.
It was in those first years when Bible study and mission-
ary enthusiasm meant so much in our home that the
Lord called my attention to missions. I can remember.
when about five years old, looking over my grand-
mother's shoulder at a picture of John G Paton, and
making up my mind to be a missionary. As a child I
was not always constant in this resolve, but when I was
thirteen years old, 1 gave my life definitely to the Lord
for missions and I have never thought of anything else
since.
About this time I began to teach a Sunday School
class and to lead Young People's meetings. I can remem-
ber teaching some very peculiar things in those early
*It was possible, at the Conference, to get stenographic reports
of the testimonies of only three of this party, Miss Lundgren and
Miss Todd not being present.
' workers who sailed for China, September 23rd, 1920
days, but nothing unsound, — and all the while I was
getting splendid experience.
Two years ago I offered myself to the China Inland
Mission. Just before starting for the Conference I was
handed my physical examination sheets which stated that
I had valvular heart trouble and that China under such
conditions was out of the question. But if I had it then,
I am healed of it now, and, the Lord willing, shall sail for
China in September. A good many missionaries on fur-
lough were in the Toronto home, and when they heard
of my disappointment, each one had a word of comfort.
One quoted Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to His purpose." This has
indeed been true in my case. The Lord kept me home to
give me priceless experience here. All last year I taught
in the Brookes Bible Institute of St. Louis, having pupils
of all ages. - I had always longed for such work. The
Lord always knows best. Never doubt His providences.
The Lord saves us from death unto life. He desires
us to have life and to have it more abundantly, that is.
"above the common." There is no reason why each one
of us should not be living in victory. I am not one bit
better to-day than when God saved me. I don't expect
ever to get any better. "That which is born of the flesh
is flesh." But Jesus is enough, — enough to save and
enough to keep. He is able to overcome sin for me. Christ
in me, the hope of glory and the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father hath sent in His name — these are my equipment
for China.
Friends, life is so short ! We walk too little in our
cemeteries. If we went oftener, we should realize how
brief and how precious is our life. When I think of
myself, and the many times I have failed the Lord, I
wish I were buried deep. But when 1 think of Christ
and what He is able to do through me, I wish there were ■
a hundred of me. And if there were, I would send one
to Africa, and one to India, and one to South America,
and a big, able-bodied one to China, and some to the
dark places of my own land. Every one of them should
preach the Gospel. You all have a life to live. Live it
for Christ!
I have not served the Lord long, but I have served
Him long enough to know what He is and to echo from
my heart the words of Spurgeon : "He is the most mag-
nanimous of captains ; there is not His like among the
choicest of princes; He is always to be- found in the
thickest part of the battle; when the wind blows coldest.
He always takes the bleak side of the hill; the heaviest
end of the cross lies ever on His shoulders. As long as
1 have known Him, I have had nothing but love from
Him. His service is life, joy, peace. Would God that
you might enter wholeheartedly on the service of the
Lord Jesus Christ even this day !" "I beseech you there-
fore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.
which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed
to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect will of God."
May the Lord bless you each in your own hearts and
! ell you in your own hearts what I could not say of Hi^
goodness, and — "Brethren, pray for us !"
By Miss AGNES H. FOLWELL
If there were only one thing that I could say this
afternoon, I would begin and end by saying: "He is
worthy to receive glory, and honor, and power, for He
was slain, and has redeemed me to God by His blood."
There was a time when I did not care anything
about Him. I was just living for myself and was enjoy-
ing what we call worldly pleasures. I thought I could
not do without them. They were my life. Now He is
my life. But one. day I went to a meeting where the
speaker was telling of the return of our Lord. It was a
new subject to me, but it changed things. As I heard
OCTOBER, 1920
•_>:<ki,. l't.'i>
the teacher read scriptures on that subject, I said:
"Lord, you can have me. Just take and cleanse and
forgive and use as you want." It was a turning point
and from then the things that I had once loved I now
ha/ted. A few weeks later, I went to another meeting,
and there the speaker was talking about God's world-
wide plan, and I found out that day what it was. As she
talked about the need of the perishing, unreached mil-
lions, and spoke of how the Lord has need of us to go.
and then read those words from Matthew 28:10. "Go
ye," it seemed as if my name were written there, and I
told the Lord I would go. But I thought how could I
go? I had very poor health and on account of being
delicate had missed a great deal of education, and I did
not see how my family would permit it. But I knew
if He wanted me to go He would open the way, and so
I just left it with Him. I wanted to start very soon to
prepare, but for a year and a half nothing was done on
the surface about my going, but I knew He was going
to send me.
In the meantime, I was hungry to learn more of His
Word and went to every Bible class I could find. As I
went, Satan was working and he made me lean on those
teachers. But the Lord sent me away to school and
took away the human props, teaching me to lean on Him.
It was a hard lesson at first, but I thank Him for it now.
Then He brought me back to my own home and s^Jnt
me to Bible School. I thought this was grand for I had
always wanted it. 1 found there a place of greater
testing, but He was always there to give the victory.
I often wondered where He would send me, though
I did not feel the time had come to ask Him. A few
months after going to Bible School I started to pray
that He would show to what part of the foreign field He
would have me go, and a very short time after that China
was made clear. And as He pointed more definitely to
one place, to China, I longed so to get there; I longed
in a way that I do not believe any can understand
except those who also have had that longing. I became
so much interested that I felt if I did not get there it
would not be worth while doing anything. But this was
another lesson, and I went to the Lord and told Him He
could have China, and I got such peace in knowing that
surrendering China would not change His plan for my
life.
As soon as I had surrendered China He started visibly
to work. A very few days after that things began to
move, as we say, and within a couple of months my
parents withdrew their refusal for me to go. Then
later, when it came time for the China Inland Mission
ouncil to meet to make decision in my case, I had per-
ect peace in my heart because, although I longed to go,
longed most of all for His will. I told my friends not
.) pray that I would go to China, but only that His will
light be done, because if He wants me at home I want
i be there. I praise God I was accepted and I believe it
- His will that I go out.
I was asked 'to tell why I am going to China. I am
oing there because there are multitudes who are "dead
ecause of sin"; multitudes who have never heard of
esus Christ, who are even reaching out and asking us
o go. But more than this, as I near the time for going
nd leaving home, I realize that the reason I am going
i because there is One who has said "Come," and I have
n altogether lovely Savior and Lord and Master, an all-
Dving and all-powerful Father, and I am going just for
lim.
By Miss LILLIAN M. BLACKWELL
As a little girl I i
id heard many mis:
onderful they wen
returned frc
ight up in a Christian home
i speak, and I thought how
were and that I would like to be a
since then my mind has changed as to
■y is. A missionary to me, to-day, is
an whose life has been changed, who is
n Christ Jesus; not one who has just
foreign land but one whose sins are
forgiven.
When I was about fourteen years of age, I was
saved. Up to that time I think I was a Christian, but I
was not sure. Special services were being held in our
church and another girl and I went. We both accepted
Christ. It was at that time that I longed to give my
whole service to the Lord.
One thing I do praise God for, besides Jesus Christ,
is a godly mother. I. like Miss Andrews, can say that
my teaching has come through my mother and her life.
She was a wonderful woman to me and it was because
she had a wonderful Savior. I do praise God for that
kind of a mother.
I went to business when quite young and still with
the longing in my heart to give all my time to the Lord's
work, even if in a business way. With this in view, I
went to a Bible School in the States and was prepared
to study there not knowing just what my work was to
be. The Lord did not see fit for me to finish my course
and in a few months 1 came home on account of illness,
and later went back to the office. 1 could not under-
stand the step, and yet I was willing to say, "Thy will
be done."
CHINA'S MILLIONS
ARRIVALS
August 4th, 1920, at Seattle, Miss
Mabel E. Soltau and Dr. Jessie
McDonald, from China.
August, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H.
Judd, from England.
August 16th, at Vancouver, Miss H..
M. Dix. from China.
August 26th, at Philadelphia, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Best, from England.
September 13th, at Vancouver, Mr.
G. Cecil-Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. H.
Barham, Mr. G. Gartside-Tippinge.
Mrs. William Taylor and her daugh-
ter Marion, Miss A. C. Coles, and
Messrs. Frederic Lawson, Ernest
Granger, and David Hogg (sons of C.
I. M. missionaries), from China.
DEPARTURES
September 8th, 1920, from Quebec.
Miss H. M. Dix, for England.
September 22nd, from Quebec, Miss
A. C. Coles, for England.
September 23rd, from Vancouver,
Miss C. A. Pike, returning, with Miss
Carrie G. Andrews, Miss Agnes H.
Folwell, Miss Hazel To'dd, Miss Lil-
lian M. Blackwell and Miss Ruby J.
Lundgren, for China.
September 25th, from Montreal,
Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Barham and Mr.
G. Gartside-Tippinge, for England.
About seven years ago my mother went home to
glory and it just seemed that I was alone in the world,
and I was as far as family connections were concerned.
I just threw myself at the feet of the Lord and asked
Him to lead me out in some way, for I wanted just to
serve Him. A year ago at this time I was attending a
Young People's missionary conference at Whitby. We
heard many .speakers there from different lands, but
China impressed me more than others. I might say. that
as a child any missionaries I heard were from China.
Beginning at about sixteen years of age I taught a
Chinaman after church service for about two years, and
we used to have a number of these "boys" come to our
home as my mother and sister were also interested. In
that way 1 became more deeply interested. This last
year China still appealed to me, and the chairman kept
saying to the young people, "If you are interested in
some land, speak to some one about it. Don't keep it
to yourself." That came home to me and is a message
I would leave with any young people here who are
longing to give their lives in service to God. Don't keep
it to yourself, but speak to others and perhaps thus the
Lord may lead you out.
At this conference at Whitby I spoke to Mrs. McGil-
livray, of Shanghai, ami told her how I had longed for a
number of years to serve the Lord in China. She spoke
of the China Inland Mission and was sure they needed
work such as I could offer. She said Mr. Hoste was in
Toronto, and on returning to Toronto I met both him
and Mr. Brownlee.
It really is wonderful how the Lord has opened up
the way since then for me, and this afternoon I praise
Him that He has taken my life and that I am fully sur-
rendered to Him, and I am satisfied as long as I know •
and feel that I am in His will. 1 would ask your prayers
this afternoon for all of us as we go. for we go in the
strength of the Lord and backed up by the prayers of
those at home. Philippians 1 :16 has been very precious
to me : "Being confident of this very thing, that He which
hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the
day of Jesus Christ." He has begun a work in us and
we know and believe that He will continue that work
until He comes again.
Here and There
Mr. George H. Booth, of Yunnanfu;
for some time past has been super-
intending the erection of new
Mission buildings. This is a work
attended with many peculiar hin-
drances and difficulties in China, but a
line for which he is well fitted by
previous occupation in the home
country, though the task takes "all
the strength and concentration one
can put in it." Remember him in
prayer.
Dr. F. H. Judd, who on return from
his furlough in England, assumed
charge of the medical work first at
Chefoo and then at Jaochow, Kiangsi,
has lately been reported ill at Kuling
with a persistent fever and under the
care of Dr. Barrie. Please remem-
ber in prayer not only Dr. and Mrs.
Judd, but also the Jaochow hospital
a.s<ain bereft of its medical directors,
recalling at the same time the Mis-
sion's serious need for medical work-
ers not only in this place but in five
or six other hospitals.
The hospital at Kaifeng, Honan,
from which Dr. Jessie McDonald,
women's surgeon, and Miss Mabel E.
Soltau, matron, are at present on
furlough in the United States, has is-
sued a report for the year 1919, il-
lustrated by photographs taken dur-
ing a recent visit of Mr. R. A. Powell
of Australia, who assisted in the
opening of work in Kaifeng in 1902.
Those who would be interested may
obtain copies from the Mission
offices.
The party consisting of Miss Pike
and five new workers for China spent
a few days in Vancouver before sail-
ing. Two were entertained by our
representative," Rev. Charles Thom-
son, and his wife, the others were
very kindly received into homes of
various friends of the Mission. Meet-
ings were arranged and of one or
these Mr. Thomson writes, "The
Spirit of God moved in the meeting,
Pray<
and main- hearts were touched. We
had one of the best meetings ever
held here, A number of young peo-
ple were present and I trust real
work which will bear fruit was done."
The party sailed on September 23rd.
er Calls — Praise Echoes
Prayer Union Members
Pray that the church at home and
on the Mission field may not carry
"shields of brass" (page 147).
Pray that the Chinese may have
what thev need — Christ preached un-
to them (p. 148).
Thank God for the work done at
Tali and Taku in Yunnan (p. 149) and
ask God that the missionaries may
soon be able to return to the Lisu in
the Taku district (p. 150).
Thank God for the testimony of
the Lisu "Daniel" and pray for all the
families who have turned from their
idolatry (p. 151).
Co a tin.' ' ■-
OCTOBER, 1920
Editorial Notes
IN Mr. Dreyer's description in our September
number of "a progressive Chinese governor" in
Shansi, we had a glimpse of government which
one naturally hails with great relief after the re-
ports of lawlessness in other provinces. And yet,
as Mr. Dreyer says, "these ideals which he (Gov-
ernor Yen) has set before his people — for the indi-
vidual, the family, and the nation — can only be fully
realized in so far as the Lord Jesus Christ is ac-
cepted as Savior, and recognized as Lord." As
China improves in condition — for we certainly trust,
as we pray, that peace and prosperity will soon
come again to that afflicted people — let us not mis-
take political or commercial betterment for what
China really needs. Her need is something beyond
her anticipated wants. As told in "What China
Does NOT Need" (in this number), political re-
formation, a new economic order and military
power are not essentials of China's redemption.
The true need is Christ, "who gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from all iniquity."
In the days of the war hosts of men and women
who gave themselves to their country's service
were eager to the point of impatience "to get over-
seas." Courageous hearts felt it an injury to be
held at home even for posts of importance. Truly,
they recognized there was work to do here, but
something called imperiously to their loyal hearts
to be on the field. So those who could pass, went;
and those who were "rejected" nobly carried on the
work at home. Would that the soldiers of Jesus
Christ, training or quartered in the churches in the
homeland, felt as those did who went forth to the
Great War ! We blush at the contrast. Have we
not a Greater War? Or is there no valor among
Christians ? Yes, we see five young women setting
their faces toward China. Our Mission may also
be able to send this year, one or two more young
women and one young man. That the fire of true
loyalty burns in the hearts of these young people
is shown by the words of a few whose valedictory
messages we are able to print in this number. Here
we see longing to be "overseas" in His service.
There are always among us those who have had
the strange and seemingly baffling experien
being apparently called to foreign missionary
service and then not being permitted to go. Does
the Spirit of God mock these? No! God truly
called Abraham to lay his all upon the altar, but He
did not allow the sacrifice. It was a test of heart
loyalty. God had another purpose, but he needed
to bring Abraham to the place of absolute renun-
ciation before He could impart the further blessing
He intended for him. To offer all we have to God
brings us no loss if He takes it ; on the other hand,
it proves no false guidance or mistake as to His call,
if He leaves it in our hands. There are some to
whom He says, Stay. The man divinely delivered
from the legion of demons, prayed and besought
Jesus that he might follow Him across the sea
(of Galilee) but the Lord "suffered him not," telling
him rather to return to his own house and show
what great things God had done for him. His
missionary purpose was set aside by the Lord Him-
self. It was not a mistake for him to ask, for it
revealed that it was God's will that he should re-
main in Gadara. He would, instead, have been in
a position deserving to be condemned if he had not
been willing to go all the way with the Lord who
delivered him. But what of that young man who
came asking Jesus, "What shall I do?" whom Jesus
"beholding loved" but answered, "Sell whatsoever
thou hast. . . .and come and follow me." Here was
failure ! Not like Matthew who left all and fol-
lowed, and is numbered among the disciples, this
young ruler departed from the Master's presence
"sad and grieved." He did not dare to commit his
"all" to the One who gave everything.
"Take the whole armor of God . . above all. the
shield of faith." (Ephesians 6:13, 16). The shield
of the ancient warrior was the chief implement of
his defense. It was to him what the trench is to
the soldier of the present, and the ship's armor
plat© to the man-of-war's man. With the shield he
turned aside not only arrows and javelins, but fire-
balls cast down from battlements — "fiery darts,"
intended, no doubt, to cling and burn. In to-day's
warfare with its high explosives and multiplied
artillery, the soldier does not protect himself simply
with a defensive covering fashioned out of. metals
dug from the earth, but seeks the shelter of the very
earth itself. Evolution, it may be admitted, pre-
vails in the art of warfare which becomes increas-
ingly terrible. Never was shelter more needed than
in these days, both in physical and spiritual conflict.
Surely, the shield of faith commended by Paul was
not to be something of our own construction. He
exhort- us to take, not to make it. And he tells us
we are saved through faith, not of ourselves; it is
the gift of God. The armor of God, then, is a
divine "issue." We are not authorized to carry our
own, for nothing man-made can withstand the mis-
siles of the Enemy. Personal opinions are no more
protection than one's coat. Let us get under cover
of "the faith once for all delivered unto the saints"
and let u- "stand fast in the faith," "continuing in
the faith grounded and settled." It seems as though
these admonitions were given for the days of pres-
ent warfare. Under the "creeping barage" of des-
tructive criticism which searches all the ground we
stand upon and the enfilading fire of "isms" right
and left, one needs a refuge deeper than one's own
digging. It is not a time to set one's self up unduly
rider in theological "no man's land." One
needs to keep head low, heart up and feet fixed.
"Thou standest by faith," says Paul. "Be not high
minded !" And Peter also says. "Humble your-
selves under the mighty hand of God Your
adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour ; whom re-
sisted steadfast IN the faith."
Prayer Cails — Praise Echoes
Pray for the boating population of
China living in hazard and super-
stition (p. 152).
Remember the towns and villages
which missionaries are not now able
to reach more than once in one or
two years (p. 152).
Ask for God's blessing upon the
girl's school at Chowkiakow and
other places (p. 152).
Let us take to heart the fact that
"prayer makes a difference" remem-
bering Wormwood Village, Um-
brella Village, Greenroot Village and
other villages as well as big Nitre
River where so many families turned
to the Lord through special prayer-
(p. 153).
Ask for God's blessing upon tent
evangelism at Taihaoling and many
other places in China, for the many
who hear the Gospel, for the few who
believe and particularly for the sal-
vation of the boy who though an
unbeliever, had faith in prayer (p.
154).
Pray for new workers going out to
China (p. 156).
A
£m0^ Coimscl * Cbcci *
J- /,. ^ Calendar
CHINAS MILLIONS
Ready for delivery
Counsel & Cheer
Calendar: 1921
New design, as shown ; size
about 6 x 9 2 inches ; printed
in colors ; a page to a month,
each page containing several
selected quotations and a
special request for prayer on
behalf of China.
Price, 35 cents per copy
from offices of the Mission
QHjmaJnlatti JBtBaimt
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MISSION RECEIPTS, SEPTEMBER, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
MISSIONARY AND
GENERAL PURPOSES
■>r, . 00
5.00
50.00
2.00
2.00
1.00
10.00
10.00
75.00
5.00
5.10
10 00
30.00
50.00
40.00
5.00
20.00
10.00
5011. 00
100.00
15.00
10.00
2.00
SPECIAL PURPOSES
Date No. Amount
1-1087 $ 12.50
3-1096 15.00
Date No. Amount II
8-1108 $ 5.00 1
1109 10.00
1110 30.00
9-1115 5.00
1116 . 20.00
1118 .... 35.00
10-1121 20.00
1123 6.00
1124 . 15.00
17-1139 . 10.00
18-1140 10.00
20-1143 15.00
1144 Int 450.00
1145 20.00
1149 60.00
1152 . ..-. 15.00
21-1153
23-1164 30.00
25-11(37 3.00
1168. 12.50
1169 . 112.50
1171 . 75.00
1172. . . 80.00
27-1174 37.50
1175 20.00
1177 300.00
1179 10.00
1184 150.00
1185 251.86
29-1186 10.00
1187 . .. 5.00
1188 5.00
30-1195 2.00
1196
1197
1198
1200
1203 . . 125.00
1204
1205
1206 10.00
6 ; '2!i' 6 S2.086.86
1
TORONTO
MISSIONARY AND
Date No.
Amount
Date No.
Amount
GENERAL PURPOSES
15-1011
$ 5.00
28-1060 Anon $ 50.00
10
m
Date No. Amount
1013
5.00
29-1063 . .
6
00
1—957 $ 5.00
16-1015
3.00
1065
2
(HI
,.,n
1016
3.00
1067.
20
43
959 3
(in
1017
2.00
1068. .
5
(10
962 1
0(1
1018 Anon
2.00
30 1070
14
2—965 10
966 5
967 25
no
00
mi
17-1019
18-1020
1021
10.00
25.00
2.00
1071. .
3 73
$1,995.23
968 2
00
1022
5.00
969 2
'in
1023 .
1.00
SPECIAL
PURPOSES
970 5
00
00
1024
1025
1.00
1.25
Date No.
Amount
972 1
no
10.00
1—960. .
.. $ 60.00
973 10
on
1028
40.00
. 961 .. .
25
00
20-1029
25.50
<963. ..
30
no
975 20
00
21-1032
14.30
964. .
20
OO
976 10
00
22-1033
7—977 . . .
3
(HI
no
1034
2.35
978..
3
IK'
980 20
on
1035
10.00
8—983. .
IX;
00
1036
5.00
986. ..
10
O.-,
982 2
nn
1037
12.00
9—990 . .
(10
8— S84 8
65
23-1040. .
30.00
991. .
2
OO
IK
1041
10.00
10—993. .
25
lo
9—987 20
no
1042
5.00
11—997.
2
IK)
988 10
00
1044
1.65
13-1001 .
100
no
50
1045
10.00
15-1005
00
992 50
00
25-1046
10.00
1009. .
(HI
10—994 2
00
1047
25.00
16-1014
30
(H)
00
1048
5.00
18-1026. .
10
,HI
996 1
00
1049
50.00
20-1030 . .
50
(H)
11—998 25
00
1050
5.00
21-1031
20
(H)
110
1051
3.10
22-103*
15
(H)
nn
1052
50.00
1039 . .
■"„
00
1053
18.80
23-1043
5
(Ml
on
1054
1.00
28-1062 .
18
',,:,
00
27-1055
10.00
29- 1064
54
25
1056
10.00
1066 . .
6
(H)
1007 1
on
1057
490.00
2.00
30-1069 ..
155
00
1010 10
00
1059
3.00
S 669. 2
SUMMARY
From Philadelphia—
For Missionary and General Purposes
For Special Purpose
$ 5,832.51
For Missionary and General Purpose*
$ 1.995.23
For Special Purpose
$ 2.664.43
S 7.996.94
Previously acknowledged, 1920
123.098.40
$131,095.
4
1
EBENKER
VOL. XXVIIII No. 11 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
MISSION OFFICES
CERMANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
In Bondage to Idols— B :
Buddha versus a Schc
Shang— By Mrs. C. II. ■
Sorensen
Honan Women at a Bihi.i
C. F. Tippel
The Christian Infi.ie
Feng— By Miss C. E. C
Two Summer Conference
™ber 12. 1917, at the post office
authorized Tu'y 8 r8 Pr °9 V i &
TORONTO
NOVEMBER, 1920
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
Vale. .
Student
■ Mrs. 1
'. //.
Miss
Gibb . .
Uice ]
China's Unrest— By Mr. G. W
Famine and Cholera — Notes J
ious l
Editorial Notes
lEE
JEHO^HJIREH
'.olograph by Mr. Robert Powell
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI. CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST. PRINCETON. N.J.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer.
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Cermantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N.J.
Rev. Fred W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Rev. Joseph T. Kelley, D.D., Washington, D.C.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich,
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. John H. Strong, D D., B»ltimore. Md.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
are expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitations of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,400 native helpers,
•ome of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,800 stations and
outstations have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,531 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 52,400 communicants.
Since 1865, over 77,000 converts have been
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
Correspondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applications for service
in China should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Mission," at either of the
Mission offices.
All checks, drafts, money and express orders should be made payable to the "China
Inland Mission."
i China (including Shanghai, Chefoo, etc.) ii
ite» from the United States remain as they were.
The,
In the case of a donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated Very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of the work at home or abroad.
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
" and for the private use of that individual.
to be expended for the appro-
priate objects of said Mission;
and I direct that the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
,nd bequeath. FORM OF DEVISE— I give and devise
note) the sum of China Inland Mission (see note), all that cerU
description of property) with the appun
iple.fortheui
lie the
words
NOTE-ln case the will is mad.
the United States, the following
Philadelphial^eansylvama"" Vtas*.
the will is made out in Canada, the fol-
lowing words need to be inserted: "hav-
ing offices at Toronto. Ontario."
fit and behalf of said Mission
forever; and oirect that the re-
lease of the Home Director of
said Mission shall bea sufficient
discharge to my executors in
the premises.
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held as follows:
WEEKLY
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane . .
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic Citv).
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale, C.I.M. Representative, 6506 Ventnor Ave. .Friday
Wednesday 8.00 p.m.
Superior, Wis.
Res.. Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St Tuesday .
Mound, Minn., Res., Mr. F. E. Tallant Tuesday,
China Inland Mission Home, 507 Church St Friday 8.00 p.m.
Vancouver, B.C.
Res., Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representative, 1936
KeeferSt 3rd Friday 8.00 p.m.
Bible Training School. 356 Broadway W 2nd Friday 8.00 p.m.
d Tuesday 8.00 p.rr
. .3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.n
.last Tuesday 8.00 p.m
Cleveland. Ohio, Res., Miss Z. A. Broughton, 4223 Cedar Ave. 1st Monday 7.30 p
Pontiac, Mich., Res., Mrs. Robt. Garner. 90 Oakland Ave.. .1st Friday 7.3
Laurium, Mich., 1st Bap. Church. Sec. Mrs. Ed. J. Lee . 2nd Thursday 7.3u p.m
Minneapolis, Minn., Tabernacle Bap. Ch., 23rd Ave. S. and
8th St Thurs. after 1st. Sunday.
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Church Wed. after 1st Sunday.
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie
Ave 2nd Monday 7 . 45 p.m
Berkeley, Cal., Res., Mrs. Rakestraw, 2518 Dana St 1st Thursday 8.00 p.m
Sherwood, Ore., Res., Dr. Fosner 1st Tuesday 2.30 p.m
Seattle. Wash.. Res., Mr. O. G. V .ve. N. 2nd Tuesday 8.00 p.m
Belllngham. Wash., Alternately at Res.. Mr. F. M. Mercer.
2132 Walnut St. and Res., Mr. A. H. Montgomery, 916
Garden St 2nd Monday 8.00 p.m
Halifax, N.S.,
„..„„s homes. Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty,
Armdale 2nd Monday. . .
Montreal. Que., Res., Mr. J. David Fraser, 350 MacKay St.. . 1st Monday . . .
Ottawa, Ont., At Y.W.C.A. Chairman, Com'd'r. Stephens,
99 Acacia Ave 2nd Friday 8.00 p.m.
Niagara Falls, Ont., Gospel Tabernacle. Temperance St. .
Hamilton, Ont., Carolin "*
Supt.) .
i (Rev. I. S. Pritchard,
London, Ont., Res.. Rev. F. A. Steven, C.I.M. Representative,
598 Princess Ave
Scudder, Ont., Sec, Mr. George E. I
d Tuesday 8. 00 p.m
7. 1st Wednesday.
Bolsover, Ont., A
s homes. Sec. Miss A. M. McRae.
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO NOVEMBER, 1920
How to Live on Christ
By Mrs. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE *
THE very figure wnich. Christ uses illustrates
this idea. "As the branch cannot bear fruit
of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more
can ye except ye abide in Me" (John 15:4). Now
how does the branch bear fruit? Not by incessant
effort for sunshine and air ; not by vain struggles
for those vivifying influences which give beauty to
the blossom and verdue to the leaf: it simply
abides in the vine, in silent and undisturbed union,
and the blossoms and the fruit appear as of spon-
taneous growth.
How, then, shall a Christian bear fruit? By
efforts and struggles to obtain that which is freely
given; by meditations on watchfulness, on praver.
on action, on temptation, and on dangers? No:
there must be a full concentration of the thoughts
and affections on Christ: a complete surrender of
the whole being to Him ; a constant looking to Him
for grace. Christians in whom these dispositions
are once firmly fixed go on calmly, as the sleeping
infant borne in the arms of its mother. Christ
reminds them of every duty in its time and place,
reproves them for every error." counsels them in
every difficulty, excites them to every needful
activity. Tn spiritual as in temporal matters they
take no thought for the morrow : for they know
that Christ will be as accessible to-morrow as to-
day, and that time imposes no barrier on His love..
Their hope and trust rest solely on what He is
willing and able to do for them ; on nothing that
they suppose themselves able and willing to do for
Him. Their talisman for every temptation and
sorrow is their oft-repeated childlike surrender of
their whole being to Him, as the infant in every
trouble finds a safe asylum in the bosom of its
mother.
Some may say, "Truly this is a very delightful
state of feeling, but how shall we obtain it? How
shall we begin?"
♦This article originally appearing, April 22nd, 1869, in
the English periodical "The Revival" which is continued
as "The Christian," was later issued in booklet form and
being "specially valued" by Mr. and Mrs. Hudson Taylor,
a copy was sent by Mr. Taylor to every member in the
China Inland Mission at that time. A quotation from
this booklet appearing on page 186 in the second volume
of the Life of Hudson Taylor led for a request of the
whole article which has been kindly furnished by Messrs.
Morgan and Scott of London, from their files.
The above article in pamphlet form can be obtained
from the China Inland Mission offices (for 2 cents a copy
or 20 cents a dozen) in either Philadelphia or Toronto.
We answer, just in the same way that a sinner
begins the Christian life — by coming to the Savior
and making a full, free, and hearty surrender of
his body, soul, and spirit, fully resolved in future
to resign the whole to the Redeemer's direction.
And having made this general surrender, make it
also in particular, in reference to every circum-
stance of every day.
Let us imagine a day spent on this principle. You
awaken in the morning, and commend yourself to
Christ's care for the day. The first temptation
that besets you may lead you to a waste of time.
Say immediately, "Lord, assist me in this parti-
cular." The next may be a temptation to irrita-
tion. Cast yourself again on Christ for this. A
few hours after, you may be tempted to censorious
remarks on some neighbor. Cast yourself upon
Jesus. A while after, you may perhaps forget
yourself and give utterance to some hasty or ill-
judged expression. Turn instantly to Christ, con-
fess your fault, and ask further help. If you find
yourself beset with uncommon difficulties and
temptations, and in danger of forgetting what man-
ner of spirit you are of, steal from your avoca-
tions, though but for a few moments, and ask help
of Jesus.
The practice of having a full and stated season
of prayer at noon, cannot be too highly commended.
But the Christians, who would live as Christ
directs, must beware of making seasons of prayer
the substitute of that constant recurrence to Him,
which we have endeavored to inculcate. Morning
and evening the little child is with it's mother in a
long and fond embrace ; it listens with rapture to
the expressions of her affection, and willingly
renders the tribute of promised obedience. But in
times of difficulty or danger, it instinctively runs
to the same arms for protection, without reflecting
whether the danger be great or small.
A direction of great importance to one who
would live this life, is this: in your sins, troubles,
and temptations, make no distinction between
great and little things.
Remember that nothing that has the slightest
bearing on your improvement and spiritual pro-
gress is insignificant in the estimation of Christ.
Now, it is a fact that Christians are more impeded
in their progress by little things than by great ones,
because, for great things they seek the strength
of Christ, and for little ones they act on their own.
But if the little accidents of every day's occurrence,
164
CHINA'S MILLIONS
the petty annoyances to which every one is sub-
jected, be sufficient to ruffle the temper, and ex-
cite an unchristian spirit, they are to you matters
of very serious moment, and as such you must
regard them. Nor can you fully abide in Christ
but by attaching to such things that just import-
ance which shall lead you to refer them to Him,
with the same freedom that you feel in reference
to what you commonly call serious affairs.
If you are conscious of peculiar and besetting
faults, familiarize your mind to those incidents of
the life of Jesus, which show a particular bearing
on them. If you are irritable, examine all those
incidents which show His untiring patience ; if you
are proud, those which exhibit His humility; if
you are worldly, those that show His spirituality ;
if you are negligent and careless in duty, those
which show His incessant seal and activity. Study
them, understand them, keep them in memory, and
pray to Him to infuse into you the same spirit.
The memory, too, may well be stored with those
sacred songs descriptive of the character of the
Savior, or imploring His divine aid ; for their
sweet words will sometimes come to you in hours
of temptation like gentle messages from our Lord.
The remarks now made are intended as general
hints ; but the only teacher of the true life of faith
is Christ. Go to Him and ask Him to direct you.
Christ is willing to make you just as meek, just
as patient, just as lovely, as He is ; and if you de-
sire it earnestly, if you desire it more than every-
thing else, if you are willing to give up all beside
for it, He will explain to you, practically, what is
meant by "abiding in Him" and by His coming to
make His abode with you. Then your Christian
race will be full of love and joy ; more like the free
flight of a bird, than the struggle of a captive. You
will run with patience the race that is set before
you, and know by blessed experience that "the joy
of the Lord is your strength."
In Bondage to Idols
By Mr. A. LANGMAN
WHEN itinerating among the cities and villages
of China, the missionary comes into close
touch with the home life of the people. To
know the Chinese, is to find them intelligent and
highly civilized, generous, active and peaceful.
Yet, they worship idols without number, made of
every conceivable material ; they worship the dead
and trust in them for prosperity; they supersti-
tiously hold animals, reptiles, birds and fish as
sacred.
In every department of life there is supposed to
be some spirit having oversight, keeping strict ac-
count of every transgression or omission against
a day of final reckoning.
In the Chinese home, the kitchen god is perhaps
the most important. From his niche over the
range he watches for every grain of rice allowed to
go astray and for food burned or otherwise wasted.
On the last day of the year this idol is sent up to
heaven in a bonfire of paper money while the
housekeeper stands by beseeching him to render a
good and laudable account to the spirits above. The
next day, a new paper idol (bought some days pre-
vious for one cent) is pasted up in the old place.
The spirit is then supposed to return, laden with
favors for the faithful cook and resumes his post
of observation.
The farmer is also in bondage. If he goes forth
to sow, the seed must first be taken to the temple
and presented before the earth god for his good
will. The lips of this idol, are sometimes smeared
with opium, as a foretaste, and to insure his favor
for a good harvest. The growing crops, at cer-
tain periods, must have the evil spirits exorcized by
priests,, who with chanting and the beating of big
brass gongs, the burning of incense and fire-
crackers, parade the idol around the fields. And
when the harvest is gathered in safely, there must
be suitable acknowledgement by a three days'
theatrical performance in honor of his majesty the
earth god.
Every tradesman, too, has his idol, the god of
riches, set up in his store or place of business. It
is the duty of the youngest apprentice to keep the
incense burning and to worship heaven and earth
the first thing each morning and the last at night.
The fire god also demands attention and worship
from numerous devotees who hope to secure his
protection against the vengeful spirits causing fire.
The soldier worships' the god of war and per-
haps drinks tiger's blood to make him courageous
and fierce in the face of the enemy.
The builder, the boatman and the tailor, as well
as the thief and the prostitute, all bow down to
idols and spirits, and with incense, paper money
and candles, seek help and success in their several
avocations, making themselves willing slaves of the
powers of darkness because they have never heard
anything but the lying stories told them by the
exploiting priesthood.
And just why have all these never heard the
"sweet story of old," that "true and faithful say-
ing" which will make even idolaters to become
children of the Highest? Let the reader answer.
Orphan children, hapless, lonely and suffering
without sympathy or care — they too must worship !
I saw a little brother and sister, about eight and
ten years old respectively, wend their way out of
the village, one carrying a bundle of incense and
paper money, the other holding candles. Not to
the temple did they go, but to an old lightning-
blasted camphor tree that stood solitary and alone
some distance away in the field — a fit emblem of
these poor desolate children that nobody loved or
wanted. There they lit the incense and candles
and burned the paper money; then prostrating
themselves before the tree, cried bitterly for the
return of father and mother. When the incense
and candles were burned, the children got up and
with breasts still heaving and lips quivering took
each other by the hand and slowly went back to
the village.
NOVEMBER, 1920
165
Photograph by Rev. Charles Fairclough
The sick person in China is truly in an evil case.
Husband or son will visit all temples of note in the
neighborhood to worship, with the usual incense,
paper money and candles. Sometimes a filial son
will put chains upon his body and go many days'
or many weeks' journey to some famous temple to
beg the favor of health for mother or father. Or,
a daughter will cut flesh from her arm and make
broth for the sick mother or grandmother, since it
is supposed the evil spirits on recognizing the nature
of the draft will be satisfied and depart. Taoist
priests are often called in to exorcize the evil
spirits. Then there is pandemonium, beating of
gongs and drums, chanting, sacrifice, incantations ;
then after noise enough to insure the sufferer's
non-recovery, they profess to capture the evil
spirit, and after securing it in a well fastened jar,
carry it forth to some empty piece of ground from
which there is no direct or straight road by which
the spirit can return.
When death draws near, there is only fear and
dread. At the approach of the demons, watchers
withdraw till all is over. Vengeance would surely
fall if the demons were hindered in robbing this
poor fever-striken body of its dark and troubled
spirit. With none to help or intervene, no tender
touch to relieve the pain and suffering, no cool
hand on the fevered brow or cool drops of water
for the parched lips, no whispered words of love to
give courage and hope in death, but alone and
helpless the spirit must go out into the unknown
darkness.
This is only a glimpse of the appalling darkness
and misery over all the land, the cause of untold
suffering to the countless population of China who
exist but to perish.
The farewell message of our Savior was the
command, "Go ye!" And yet there are many
Christians who, while enjoying His favors in rich
abundance, are indifferent to the eternal destiny of
other men or women. Like Jonah they refuse to
go and preach repentance, or make known the way
of life that men might be saved.
And there are many others, members of Christian
churches, who when the claims of the heathen are
laid upon them, make excuse and say, "I have no
call to these people." No, perhaps not a call, but
certainly a command, beside which there could be
no greater, backed by the unlimited power and au-
thority of the King of kings.
Buddha versus a Schoolboy and Mrs. Shang
By Mrs. C. H. STEVENS. Fengsiang, Shensi
ON the steps of a Buddhist temple, a finely
built, muscular man is seen standing, facing a
famine-stricken, ignorant Chinese crowd. He
still wears what he treasures as his last bit of
old China, a very dishevelled queue. He is shoe-
less and sockless, his feet bruised by mountain
boulders and swollen from a long weary march,
his eyes fierce and bloodshot from hopeless anger.
His coarse cotton vest, frantically torn open, shows
on his body many marks of branding by heathen
priests, who having received a big "squeeze" of
crude opium have assisted in working him up into
the frenzy which precedes demon possession.
On his person is a piece of yellow paper on which
is an inscription supposedly written by a spirit, a
sort of passport to obtain rain, for lack of which
the summer crops are perishing. Across his back,
wreathed in withered fir and willow branches,- is
slung a long rude knife.
Wringing his hands, then prostrating himself
before gaunt and semi-demolished clay idols, he is
crying for mercy. What does he say ?
"Within six years there will not be a temple left
in the district ! Between those who are follow-
ing this Lord Jesus, over whom we have no power
at all, and the many who are of two hearts and
three minds to follow also, there is nobody left."
The man thus deploring the futility of Buddhism
has been hired by the people of the district to go
five days' journey up a sacred mountain and invoke
the gods for rain. He has been through all the
mummeries necessary to become possessed by
demons whom he trusts to work miracles, but the
sun is blazing and no cloud is to be seen.
166
As he returns to the villagers, who, after having
feasted and paid him highly, feel the situation to
be desperate, he continues : "Look at this temple, in
my grandfather's time new and clean everywhere,
gods freshly painted and every bit of woodwork
shining with varnish ! Talk about repairing the
damage done by burning (the temple has suffered
from the ruthlessness of brigand troops), I fail to
arouse anybody even to help me replace the tiles
over poor Buddha's sleeping body !"
Standing quietly behind the crowd of listeners is
a youth who, humanly speaking, has been instru-
mental in bringing about this change.
Five years ago he came to the China Inland Mis-
sion school, brought by his stingy heathen father
who thought that owing to scarcity of food he
might combine education and living for his son at
the expense only of the missionary's "kind heart."
As he was an utter stranger, from a completely
new and unvisited part of our district, an excep-
tion was made and the boy was received. Very
soon the lad's heart opened to the Lord. It was
to our daughter, then in charge of the boys' school,
that he told of his desire to follow Christ.
Very shortly after, he brought from his village
a Buddhist devotee, Mrs. Shang, who had tried
every known method of obtaining merit, but be-
ing very loquacious had failed to keep the re-
quired many days of silence in her lonely cell after
having gone through every other form of penance
satisfactorily.
Being ill at the time, I did not see her and our
daughter came telling me of her arrival, adding, "If
her smile is genuine, I should think she is a very
good tempered person." And this she has proved
herself to be.
A few months after this, our beloved Miss Gregg
paid her visit, and at this time Mrs. Shang "got
the flame." (Notice and illustrations of these
meetings appeared in our issue of August 1919.)
Already saved, as we were sure, for she had ac-
cepted Christ as she heard the Truth, she simply
opened her heart to teaching and during Miss
Gregg's meetings got such a blessing! She rested
neither day nor night working and praying for the
conversion of her husband and relatives.
Regularly, carrying her one year old baby on
her back, she came even through deep snow the
lonely ten miles to Sunday service, her husband
meeting her long after dark, relieved to find her
not devoured by wolves. Both dared not leave the
cave dwelling, fearing their home might be pillaged
by brigands.
After Miss Gregg left us, a party of Christian
women went to pay the Shangs a visit. Nearing
the cave they announced their coming by singing
the chorus, "He is able to save," and on entering
the courtyard found Mrs. Shang and her husband
(too poor to possess a donkey) themselves grinding
some very coarse buckwheat. And as they pushed
and tramped around together they were singing an-
other of Miss Gregg's choruses, "Christ came to
save sinners."
Seeing the women, Mrs. Shang fell on her knees
exclaiming, "It is all well ! The work is done. My
old man is saved."
CHINA'S MILLIONS
One could fill a book with interesting details of
the following up work this woman has done, and
all voluntarily. One by one, people have been won
to Christ, not only members of her family, includ-
ing her mother-in-law just baptized at the age of
eighty-four, but some of the vegetarians who first
opposed and tried to intimidate her wherever she
went.
Her son (by a former marriage) has helped her
out of his small earnings to fit up a small cave
church most beautifully, and in this and other por-
tions of her premises hundreds of refugees have
been sheltered during nights of horror owing to
brigands in the district, for while every other home
has been ransacked this one has been saved, while
day and night Mrs. Shang has been, and is, plead-
ing for a great ingathering of precious souls.
Some weeks ago, hearing that Mrs. Shangr was
very ill, we went to see her. My husband, able to
travel more quickly than I could do, went on
ahead. She could barely make herself understood,
but told him, "I am quite at rest about leaving my
family. I want to do the Lord's holy will, but —
Oh, I cannot bear the thought of leaving these
people only half won to Christ!"
Oh, that many more of us might feel this burden
of perishing souls in the same real way, not only
realizing the need, but rejoicing in sharing in the
fellowship of His sufferings as this poor Chinese
woman is able to do ! How we, who have had the
privilege of being out here long, deeply yearn for
younger lives from the .homelands to come and
share this incomparable joy, this priceless privilege
(as Weymouth's version so beautifully expresses
the thought) of "making Christ known among the
heathen !"
May this encourage those whose help by prayer
and gifts, which we would gratefully acknowledge
— and not least of all, those who bear the burden of
our schools.
But for this schoolboy, Mrs. Shang might never
have heard of Christ. And truly, "How wonder-
ful !" as the boy himself 'remarked when telling
with glee the testimony of the demon worshiper
on the temple steps, "The devil himself, has for
once told the truth !"
A Tibetan Lama's Questions
By Mr. T, SORENSEN. Tatsienlu, Szechwan
WHILE a very famous lama, an incarnation of
the Kam province was visiting our city for
some time, I took the opportunity of making
frequent calls on him and renewing our acquaint-
ance, trying to make him interested in the Christian
religion. I asked him if he would kindly write
me a letter asking any questions concerning our
religion.
A few days later I received this letter which I
translate.
I herewith present these questions to my good friend,
who through long and unfatigued exertions in many gen-
erations of lucky rebirths, has now through merit re-
ceived the good fruit of study, Sonamtsering (my Tibetan
name).
According to the Buddhist religion, our place of refuge
(salvation) is in the three holy ones, which, however, in
NOVEMBER. 1920
167
essence is the one Supreme, or Lama Kon-chog chig. In
like manner according to your Christian religion there is
also one supreme holy One; what definition do you give
of Him? If you take your refuge in this God, what then
is the method for refuge? How are you delivered from
the fear of this God? Have men former and latter periods
of existence? If so, where will they be borne who take
their refuge in God, and what bliss will they obtain in
the next life? What merit must they accomplish by
body, speech and mind who take their refuge in God?
What suffering will they endure in the next existence,
who do not live a virtuous life, but sin? There being
three kinds of merit, viz., great, middle and small, by
what method is the great accumulated? How are the
middle and the small merit accumulated? What are the
fruits of these proportions of merit, and what are they
like?
Please give me a clear answer. These ten questions,
like a string of precious pearls from a treasury, are
presented as a beautiful ornament for the neck of a
young, wise and virtuous virgin. The above is written by
the fool of the lower part of Kam in East Tibet, who
bears the name of Draga incarnation.
In reply to my question as to whose incarnation
he himself was, he said he was an Indian incarna-
tion and gave me the name, followed by a number
of Tibetan incarnations, whose names he also gave
me.
How often would he come again, I asked?
Only once more, as then his work would be
finished.
Does not the earnestness of these questions be-
speak our prayers for this lama?
Honan Women at a Bible School
By Miss C. F. TIPPET
THE problem of teaching the way of God more
perfectly to the women of China is continu-
ally before us. I should like to tell of a
Bible school held by Mrs. Bird in Fukow, at which
I had the privilege of helping.
The first month of the year was a good time to
invite women in, so the latter half of the month
we did this and were not disappointed with the
numbers that came. Sixty members were on the
register but not all stayed all the fortnight. The
oldest pupil was seventy-eight and the youngest
ten, the daughter of a Christian.
There being two of us we could divide the
classes. The Christians and advanced inquirers
were much interested in the life of Moses, while
the more ignorant were helped with the Life of
Christ. One woman after a lesson on the Cruci-
fixion and in the evening seeing a lantern slide on
the same subject, said, "I never realized He suf-
fered like that for me," and was much moved.
The women worked hard. They were up soon
after five and made their breakfast. How they
did this was a continual wonder, with one kitchen,
four iron pots, and about fifty of them to get their
meals. But they managed wonderfully, each
woman bringing her own food and doing the best
she could. Morning prayers came at seven, after
which books were read steadily till the break came
for drinking tea in the middle of the morning; they
then divided into classes which went on till dinner
time; and the same routine was followed in the af-
ternoon. The evening was a time for singing and
telling stories that would be helpful, also for show-
ing the magic lantern and sometimes giving them
an object lesson. We thoroughly enjoyed the
evening hours, though somewhat weary after the
day's work.
In a room used for classes, straw was strewn on
the floor and the women sat cross-legged listening
to the discourse, then at night they rolled them-
selves up in their wadded quilts (if these could be
spared from home) or just slept in their clothes and
maybe shared a bit of another woman's quilt. We
could not but be thankful that we had not to join
them on their bed of straw, though they were all
very happy.
Mrs. Bird started a class in the phonetic script —
the script which we hope is going to make such a
difference to the illiterate of China. These are
the early days of its introduction, but Mrs. Bird
was greatly encouraged by the way they took it up.
Great was the pride and joy when the sentences
could be written on slates and they could read what
was written on the blackboard. (See cover illus-
tration.)
We learned afresh the difficulties, suffering and
persecution many of these dear women undergo.
One woman who stayed only a night, returning the
next Sunday, said, "I nearly did not come. My
husband cursed me so when I got back ! But I did
not answer him, only knelt down and prayed.
Then he said, 'You still pray to Jesus when I curse
you'?" But she said, sweetly, "I did not want Jesus
to lose face, so I did not lose my temper."
This dear woman has brought many into the sta-
tion. She has prayed for quite a number who have
been sick in our village, and they have recovered.
Another young woman is being persecuted by
her husband who will not let her come to chapel
and burns all her books and beats her because she
will not worship the ancestral tablet. She said
one day, so sweetly, "We must take up our cross
and follow Him, and He is dwelling in our hearts."
We thank God for the power of the Gospel and
what it can do for these suffering souls. Pray that
her husband may be converted.
One dear old Christian went home for a day and
found her son and the rest of the family going to
the theatre ; something went wrong and the son
and his wife began quarrelling and in striking his
wife the son's whip came in contact with the poor
old mother, and she returned with an angry red
mark across her forehead looking white and
shaken.
Another dear old lady of seventy-five walked
five miles and when she saw a picture of "the broad
and the narrow way," she said very decidedly that
she was walking "the heavenly road." and had quite
decided to follow Jesus, whatever anybody said.
It is not often people come in over the garden
wall to a Bible school, but our next door neighbor
did, and not one wall but three. She lives all alone
in her courtyard and it is difficult to fasten the
door from the outside. So she does it from the
inside and climbs over three walls to get to us. I
was holding a mission and we had had an awning
166
put up as the chapel could uot hold all who came.
In the middle of my discourse I beheld the woman
doing her best to get over the garden wall. She
has since continued arriving by that rather diffi-
cult way and is now a most promising inquirer.
Her husband, a well-to-do man, became interested
first and now all idols have been removed. Early
on New Year's day her husband roused her up to
sing the doxology. She did not know it and could
only remember "all blessings flow," but they began
the year with God instead of the idolatry they had
been practicing all their lives.
It was most interesting to see the women learn-
ing, some struggling through a catechism, going
over and over one sentence till you wondered
whether it would penetrate the dull brain. But the
patient plodding was rewarded, and in the end it
did get in.
One evening I gave an object lesson on "Bond-
age" and illustrated the same by binding up one of
their number. Later on we had a testimony meet-
ing, and it was interesting to hear many of them
tell how they were bound by fear, custom, temper,
cursing, and dare not open their lips to confess
Christ, being afraid of being laughed at. Many said
they were going to let their bonds go and trust the
Lord to keep and use them. I could not help won-
dering what we should be like if placed in similar
circumstances, and looking into those bright faces
thanked God for the power of the Gospel and the
fact that Christ had transformed those women.
The Christian Influence of General Feng
By Miss C. E. CHAFFEE, Changteh, Hunan
IT is safe to say that at the present time Chang-
teh is more free from idol worship than any
other portion of the empire. The temples,
almost without exception, have been cleared of
their idols and are now used as schools.
One needs to be cautious in writing about these
changes — public opinion is as variable as the wind —
but it is safe to say that idol worship has lost its
hold on the majority of intelligent people in this
district.
These changes have been brought about very
largely by the action of a Christian General, whose
name has become familiar to large numbers of
Christian people outside of China — General Feng
Yu-hsiang. Holding the reins of authority he
decided that it would be in the interests of the
people to destroy the idols and use the temples for
educational purposes and this in due time he accom-
plished. The simplicity of his life and the interest
taken in the welfare of the people generally, to-
gether with perfect discipline among his troops, has
impressed numbers and helped to create an atmos-
phere in which Christianity can the more readily
thrive.
Unfortunately the recurrence of internal strife
has compelled the departure of General Feng from
the city and the present commanders are taking
little interest in the work which he started. A
revival of idol worship is certain to be attempted
and opium smoking and gambling together with
other social evils which the General successfully
CHINAS MILLIONS
combated during his two years' stay here, again
begin to make their appearance, but on the whole
the influence of thrs general who is out and out for
Christ, and that of his officers and men, will remain
to help lighten the work of making known the Lord
Jesus. Satan is so strong out here and is anxious
to make a man like General Feng fall. Pray that
this man and his men may be kept true to Christ,
their Captain, in the hour of temptation.
These men are "saved to serve" in some instances
at least. The boat which brought our party to
Changteh also had on board many Chinese men
which General Feng had sent one of his men to
recruit. One evening after supper, hearing singing
we went near and found raw heathen men gathered
about a man in uniform while he told them of
Jesus, and then led them in singing, "Oh come to
my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart
for Thee." Dear friends, it was sweet to see this
man making time for the Savior ! It was a precious
welcome to Changteh.
Two Summer Conferences
By Rev. JOSHUA VALE, Shanghai
MR. MARSHALL BROOMHALL in his
account of the Swanwick Summer School
in July, 1920, says : "Let the reader imagine
three hundred Christian people, all comfortably
housed together in the midst of beautiful Derby-
shire country, under almost ideal conditions of sum-
mer weather, and all intent upon the things touch-
ing the Kingdom of God, and you will realize to
some extent the setting of the C.I.M. Summer
School at Swanwick." Let the reader of this
report imagine four hundred people — pastors,
preachers, Bible-women, Sunday School work-
ers, etc., meeting together in "Beautiful Soo"
(Soochow), one of China's famous cities, some
thirty or more miles from Shanghai. The
weather indeed was fine, but with the thermo-
meter standing at 95-8 in a damp, humid climate, we
could hardly describe it as "ideal."
This conference was for the spiritual uplift of our
fellow Chinese workers. These men and women, the
leaders connected with six or seven different Mis-
sions in the two provinces, Kiangsu and Chekiang.
representing perhaps 50,000,000 people, were gath-
ered together for ten days fellowship and Bible
study.
The daily devotional meetings were conducted by
the Rev. A. R. Saunders. Then followed separate
classes for different grades. My own class and
another for pastors and evangelists, had to be united,
(owing to the illness of a leader) giving me an aver-
age attendance of 165 men and women for eight
days. My subject was "In Christ" based on the
Epistle of the Ephesians.
This is my fourth year at summer conferences —
two at Hangchow and two at Soochow, but I can
truthfully say this one was the best of all. It was
most encouraging to see these men and women, who
are the leaders in many a lonely outpost, eagerly
following the addresses as we studied our relation-
ship to Christ in "Death and Resurrection."
Classes for practical work in Sunday School teach-
NOVEMBER, 1920
169
■Cvf^,
*j
r^i
Photograph by Mr. Charles H. Judd
ing, lectures on special subjects in connection with
the church, etc., were carried on up till noon. The
afternoon — during the great heat of the day — was
set apart for rest and sleep; at half-past five all the
delegates met together in a tent to hear some special
speaker.
Owing to trouble between contending barons in
North China, several intended speakers could not
come. Dr. Griffith Thomas, however, was able to
reach us from Ruling and gave some helpful ad-
dresses both to missionaries and Chinese. The spirit
of the conference was excellent — no jarring note —
and all were delighted to have the opportunity for
fellowship together during ten days in this historic
centre. Will you join in prayer that the blessing
thus received may be passed on to many a lonely
Chinese Christian in these needy parts of this great
harvest field?
The Mokanshan Summer Conference has its loca-
tion some two hundred miles from Shanghai in a
"beautiful Derbyshire country" comparable to that
in which Swanwick is found. The hills are not very
high — say two thousand feet above the sea. The
special features are the cool springs and lovely bam-
boo. Here year after year the missionaries of
Kiangsu and Chekiang, with a sprinkling of business
men. municipal employees and others, go for the
months of July and August. The usual number, in-
cluding, perhaps, two hundred children, runs to
about eight hundred.
The usual conference is fixed for the first week in
August. It was arranged that Mr. Trumbull
should be the deputation this year from the home-
land but owing to other engagements he was un-
able to come. This was a great disappointment to
many so they made an effort to secure the pres-
ence' of Dr. Griffith Thomas. After some delay this
was arranged and the first meeting of the confer-
ence was on Friday, August 27th. We much en-
joyed Dr. Thomas' ministry through the following
days. It was a matter for great regret that many
missionaries and others who would have enjoyed
his ministry had already returned to the plain.
It is a real treat to listen to these gifted brethren
who came to us from time to time. Our own min-
istry is so limited and elementary to a large extent,
that it does one good to get into the deeper truths
of God's Word as unfolded by these experts in
spiritual things.
We are now back again in the office. As I write
the annual storm — typhoon — which generally de-
notes the end of the great heat is blowing fiercely
so we can say, "now we are past the great heat,"
and can look forward to autumn and winter with
confidence and hope.
Continue in prayer for us.
A Student in Shansi
By Miss LYDIA E. BERTHOLD, Hwochow, Shansi
LAST summer after a full half year at the dear
old Yangchow Home, I enjoyed a few weeks
on Kikungshan and then came to this wonder-
ful place of "The Fulfilment of a Dream."*
A special gift to cover traveling expenses made it
possible, this summer, for me to join a party in a
spacious mill in Yiitaoho.
Though the scenery there does not differ greatly
from the ordinary Shansi loess terraces, there were
mountains to climb ; and the quaintly shaped trees
lent a distinctive aspect. It was a sight, too, to see
the flocks of a thousand or more sheep and goats,
gleaming in the sunshine, gathered there because of
the abundance of water.
Beside having a time for study unhindered by
excessive heat and enjoying fellowship with other
missionaries one could manage one's housekeeping
on a smaller basis with the added comfort of good
servants.
The friends I was with were much in need of a
cook some time ago. Upon their praying, the Lord
provided one, but before long this man wanted to be
an evangelist. Again they prayed, and God gave even
a better one; he, however, desired to become- a
student. Just now, both these ex-cooks have gone
to Hungtung, the older one to be trained as an
evangelist in Mr. Dreyer's Bible Institute ; the
younger to enter the Higher School.
We had no big conference, but our Saturday
prayer meetings were times of great refreshing In
the evenings we preached in neighboring villages,
and at times villagers collected for worship in our
mill.
One Sunday morning I had a group of little girls
by myself. Some know, "There is only one true
God," and this forms a starting point. Then one
wants to know: "Does the Heavenly Father injure
people?" and I take a hymn (which Dr. and Mrs.
Howard Taylor taught our schoolgirls here)
"Thank the Lord Jesus, who for me suffered death,"
and show them the love of God in our Lord Jesus.
Poor little things, they cannot grasp what it means
to be thankful! Yet I go on teaching this hymn.
*A new worker, if a lady, spends her first months in
China at the Training Home in Yangchow, Kiangsu
province. Kikungshan is a place in the hills much re-
sorted to in the heat of summer, while the city of
Hwochow, Shansi, is the scene of a work projected by
Pastor Hsi and described in Miss Cable's book, "The Ful-
filment of a Dream."
170
CHINA'S MILLIONS
trusting that from head knowledge, knowledge will
come to the heart, and God can then use their
thanksgiving to show them His salvation according
to Psalm 50:23.
Further, I could point out to them the love and
the glory of God in the pretty wild flowers which
the little girls loved to bring. There were gorgeous
anemones, lilies and pinks, bluebells and butter-
cups, and a host of unknown flowers, also clovers,
smilax, highly scented, gaily colored grasses and
ferns, and the queerest leaves !
The summer, on the whole, has been very dry.
though a rainstorm overtook me on the way here
as I was crossing over the famous Lingshih Pass,
necessitating my putting up for the night in my
mule-litter under very scanty shelter by the road-
side. This was the middle of June.
All through the summer we could see processions
coming before the hideous idols in the temple not
far from our mill in Yiitaoho, offering sacrifices and
beseeching them for much needed rain. Here in
the city, I am told, men would walk through the
streets with a knife hacked into the forehead and
one on each shoulder, while the blood streamed
over their bodies.
The crops are in a miserable condition; even pro-
ductive Shansi is threatened with a famine, while
refugees from Shantung, Honan and Chihli are
wandering about seeking sustenance for families
and cattle. Last week one could buy two mules for
$11.
Praise God ! He has sent several days of rain,
giving a possibility of sowing the wheat for next
year, greatly relieving conditions here.
About the Chefoo Schools
By Mn. F. H. RHODES
DURING our stay in Canada we have had sev-
eral opportunities of speaking on behalf of
the China Inland Mission Schools in north
China.
Many seem to have a very vague idea of what
these schools stand for. We have frequently been
asked if the schools are for the children of native
Christians ; or if Chinese children are admitted as
well as the children of missionaries.
It is too long a story to go back to the circum-
stances which led Rev. Hudson Taylor to establish
these schools for the children of China Inland Mis-
sion missionaries ; for these interesting details one
may refer to the "Growth of a Work of God" and
other publications. Children of other foreigners,
i.e., missionaries of other Missions, or "business
people" in China, are occasionally admitted if
accommodation allows.
It is doubtful if any phase of the work in China
bears more striking testimony to God's faithful-
ness than do the Chefoo schools. From the small
beginning in 1880, when three children were under
tuition, down to the present time when nearly three
hundred children are under instruction, the history
of the schools is one unbroken chain of answered
prayer.
The three schools, the Boys', the Girls' and the
Preparatory are ideally situated, Chefoo being a
bracing seaport, with a very good sandy beach.
The teachers are all members of the Mission.
Some would have preferred native work in the
interior, but owing to the pressing need, have been
willing to devote their lives and talents to this
special work.
The education given is sound and practical, as
evidenced by the good results of the yearly local
Oxford examinations. Special emphasis is given to
the spiritual aspect of the work, the chief desire
and aim of the teachers being the conversion of the
boys and girls who are under their charge. It is
a stimulus and cause for thanksgiving that many
who have passed through these schools are now
living earnest Christian lives in the vocations which
they have chosen.
Due prominence is also given to physical culture;
football, cricket, tennis, hockey, and other sports
are enjoyed, while in summer boating and swim-
ming provide ample scope for healthy exercise. The
drill in the three schools has always been a strong
feature and year by year calls forth enthusiastic
appreciation from thfe summer visitors. (See illus-
tration.)
During the holiday months the children have the
privilege of hearing from visiting missionaries in-
teresting accounts of their work in the interior.
The girls and boys have their own missionary band
(or class) and from their limited pocket money
voluntarily contribute towards mission work in
several lands.
It is interesting to note that over twenty "old
boys and girls" have returned to China as mission-
aries in connection with our own Mission, and quite
a number are working with other missionary
societies. Some of these have acknowledged they
received their first missionary impulse while at
Chefoo. One of the earliest pupils has been en-
gaged in medical mission work in China for twenty-
four years ; while six of the present staff of the
schools are old "Chefooites."
Several members of the present staff of the
NOVEMBER, 1920
171
Photograph by Mr. At
Taylor
school were previously engaged in native work in
the interior. Their interest in the Chinese work is
as keen as ever but at considerable sacrifice they
have relinquished the work dear to them as need
has arisen, in order to take up responsible positions
in the Chefoo schools.
The education and care of the missionaries' chil-
dren is an important phase of the work of the
China Inland Mission, and claims a special interest
in our prayers. Were it not for these schools many
valuable, experienced missionaries would be unable
to remain at their posts, or engage in itinerating
work.
The Summer at Chefoo
By Miss ALICE HUNT
THERE have been many joys and sorrows here.
The work has gone on much the same. With
the Chinese it is line upon line ; but the Lord
has given us the joy of seeing some confess Him.
But to go back to the beginning of June, one of
the boys in the Boys' School (European) was taken
to be with the Lord. He was a dear bright laddie,
a picture of health, but went down with double
pneumonia after a month's illness.
June 17th was "Foundation Day," the anniver-
sary of the opening of the schools. It was a bright
lovely day. Thanksgiving services were held in the
morning and tea was served in the compound in the
afternoon, when many visitors joined us.
At the end of the month, "enteritis" broke out,
and one of the Preparatory School children (son of
an English Baptist missionary in Shansi) was taken
to be with the Lord. He was a delicate little boy
and it was his first term in school. A number of
children went down with the same trouble, but
though some were very, very ill yet the Lord
answered prayer and all are better now. In the
city great numbers of the Chinese died. It has
meant a very busy time, especially for the nurses.
At the end of July, the three schools closed for
the summer vacation. The closing exhibitions were
held on July 26th-28th and all the visitors in Chefoo
who possibly could, attended. These exercises were
much enjoyed. There were exhibitions of the
scholars' work, also singing, playing, recitations,
and drill by the scholars, and prize giving.
Dr. Griffith Thomas and Mr. Charles G. Trumbull
have been visiting China this summer holding
meetings in the different summer resorts. Dr.
Griffith Thomas went to Ruling and Mr. Trumbult
to Peitaiho. At the latter place, a three weeks'
conference was held for Chinese and foreigners.
Mr. Trumbull was to go from there to Peking, but
the fighting hindered that, so we at Chefoo reaped
the benefit. He reached here Saturday, July 24th,
spoke at the evening prayer meeting in our Mis-
sion prayer room and again on Sunday morning
at the children's service. Then when the school
exhibitions were over, he held meetings every
morning in our prayer room, from July 29th to
August 4th (except Sunday) and also on three even-
ings. The Sunday meetings were held in the Union
Church.
The missionaries working in Chefoo stand for
the truth. All believe in the inspiration of the Bible.
So when Mr. Trumbull spoke at the first meeting
172
CHINAS MILLIONS
on "The inspiration of the Bible" — and it was
mostly a personal testimony of why he believed it —
his message met with a sympathetic response. The
next day's meetings were on "God's plan of salva-
tion," God's side and man's side. All the other
meetings were on the "Victorious Life."
It has been an exceptionally hot summer. Mr.
Trumbull felt the heat very much, but the Lord
gave him strength day by day. He left Thursday,
August 5th, for Shanghai en route for Kikungshan.
On August 1st, we had the joy of seeing twenty-
three confess our Lord in baptism. There were
seven Chinese men, five Chinese women and girls,
and nine schoolgirls (European). It was such a
lovely service down on the beach ! We sang "O
happy day that fixed my choice," the Chinese sing-
ing it in Chinese and the rest in English. Then
the Lord's prayer was repeated together in the two
languages : a few words were read from God's
Word, another prayer offered, then three of our mis-
sionaries went into the sea. The schoolgirls led the
Chinese women into the water and afterwards back
to the beach. As these three groups came back the
men went in. Do you wonder that the doxology
was sung from full hearts that morning?
Then came the Chinese service. The chapel was
crowded. That morning, on the women's side,
there was not an empty seat. After the preaching
service came the Communion service, when the
Chinese who had been baptized were received into
the (visible) church.
Two other schoolgirls hoped to be baptized, but
one was ill and the other away. A young Chinese
widow also did so want to be among them ; but she
lives with her parents and though she sent a letter
to her mother-in-law asking permission, no answer
had been received, so she had to wait. Her brother
was one of the men baptized, and she told us next
day how very full of joy he was after the service.
Chinas Unrest
By GEORGE W. GIBB, M. A., Shanghai
THE political situation continues somewhat
chaotic, and although we have no definite
news of severe fighting, the outlook is any-
thing but hopeful.
In a letter dated August 9th, Mr. Easton of Han-
chung, Shensi, referring to the general unrest
owing to military occupation, writes :
"These difficulties are serious, but I doubt if there
is any prospect of betterment. The Szechwan
troops are now, after two years' occupation and op-
pression, evacuating this place and moving to the
borders of Szechwan, hoping to go into that prov-
ince if the Yunnanese will allow them. But the
Yunnanese troops are pouring in and we already
have evidence that they are a depraved lot. Yes-
terday many of the men were absent owing to the
fear of being dragged off to prison to carry for the
soldiers, when wanted. Most of the younger men
leave their homes at night and sleep out among the
growing crops.
"The sufferings and wrongs of the people would
fill volumes. It is a terrible hindrance to our work.
The lawlessness is not likely to pass away. It will
be well if it does not greatly increase."
Mr. Hutton of Kweichow province also reports
that brigand bands are still very troublesome. He
says the Hsiasi market place was looted the other
day for the third time within twelve months. What
robbers do not take, the soldiers who follow on, on
the pretense of pursuing the brigands, acquire by
a final pillage of the places, and the poor people
say, "robbers are soldiers, soldiers are robbers."
Mr. Hutson also reports that the inhabitants of
Chengtu, Szechwan, are alarmed even to being
hysterical. The whole province is in a turmoil and
the Consul fears looting, and owing to the whole-
sale storage of Chinese treasure in some foreign
premises, he thinks that the foreigners will not be
exempt. "It is almost impossible," Mr. Hutson
continues, "for anyone outside the province to re-
alize the real condition of affairs."
Miss E. Louisa Smith, writing on August 19th,
says that Mr. Kirkpatrick of Paoning, Szechwan.
had $80, a watch and clothes stolen out of his chair
by brigands on his way up to Sintientsi, a summer
resort. He was walking some distance in front of
his chair at the time, but ran back and saw the head
man of the party. They kept him three hours and
then returned $40 and his clothes. "Nearly every
day," Miss Smith continues, "brigands go past lead-
ing ten to fifteen captives, often tied together, and
generally women. They prod them along with
knives when they are too tired to walk."
Famine and Cholera*
By Miss M. G. MOWER, Hwailu, Chihli
WE little thought, when school scattered last
June that we had already entered a year of
famine. We have had neither spring, sum-
mer nor autumn rains and the grain is dried up ;
consequently there is no harvest this autumn.
In ninety hsien (districts) in this province of
Chihli there will be no harvest at all ; in twenty or
thirty hsien there will be perhaps a fiftieth part,
which will only feed the families for about two
months. Grain is already double the price it was
in the spring and all the old people say that not
since the great famine year forty-two years ago,
has there been such a condition of things. The
trees are being stripped of their leaves for food;
girls are being sold, torn away from their homes ;
train loads of refugees in cattle trucks are traveling
west, fleeing from the poverty stricken districts,
looking for more productive fields, cattle being dis-
posed of for a mere song.
Oh, the distress everywhere is heartrending!
Truly, the black horse of famine is stalking over
the land.
By Mrs. M. L. GRIFFITH, Shunteh. Chihli
Cholera has carried off between two and three
♦Through our Shanghai office, the source of these first
two excerpts from letters, we learn that "in southern
Chihli and northern Honan, famine conditions prevail
with much consequent distress." The first of the let-
ters was written August 31st. Mr. Gibb adds: "Cholera
also is prevalent through many of the provinces."
NOVEMBER, 1920
175
thousand in the city ; the wailing for the dead was
truly awful before we left. I could not bear it
and became quite ill myself. We heard from our
chair bearers that during the 15th, 16th and 17th of
the 6th moon, they were continually carrying the
dead out of the city wrapped in matting; there were
no coffins to be had.
God's protection over all on our compound was
really wonderful, as at that time there were eleven
men living here for classes. We do thank God for
this, His protecting care !
Poor Mrs. Yang living opposite to us, who was
baptized in June, has had a most severe time. Out
of a family of thirteen, only five are left ; seven
died of cholera and lastly her own husband died of
fright. Please pray for her that her faith may not
fail. She is hopeful still, in spite of all. She says,
"I just prayed all the time."
From the (August) " West China Missionary News," Chengtu, Szechwan
Early in June rumors were abroad that
cholera had gotten as far as Luchow and
was slowly making its way up the little
river towards Kiating. Letters from Chung-
king told of a few cases in that city. Before the
missionaries in Chengtu scattered for the summer
holidays, cases had been reported outside the east
gate at Chengtu. All during the summer, the num-
ber of patients increased until at this writing, it is
not unusual to count two or three hundred coffins
being carried out of the gates of the city in one day.
Perhaps it is overstating the matter to say that this
is a daily occurrence, as, even in the case of the
scourge, the Chinese wait for a "lucky day." But
even a minimum estimate can but reveal the dread-
ful state of affairs that prevails in the city.
By Mrs. F. C. H. DREYER, Hungtung. Shansi
We are in the full swing of Bible Institute work;
the students number forty-eight men. The awful
distress caused by lack of rain has hindered some
from coming. Famine is what Chihli and Honan
are facing. Our situation is a trifle better ; but
now hundreds of refugees come to us from these
stricken provinces. Yesterday we had a large
crowd here at our door. Last Sunday thirty who
were church members came through Hungtung. All
these poor souls are driven away from home by lack
of food while large numbers whom they leave be-
hind are dying.
Yesterday and today (September 15th) we have
had a lovely rain which will enable the people to
put in their wheat for next June's reaping. This
just saves us from a fate 'similar to the other prov-
inces.
Morphia in China*
AMONG the afflictions which China suffers at
this time there is one for which outside na-
tions seem to have heavy responsibility, namely,
the traffic in morphine.
There seems to be evidence that "all morphia that
reaches China is manufactured in Britain, America
and Japan" and that "the bulk of the illicit import
is effected by Japanese." The drug is so easily
concealed and brings such immense profits to suc-
cessful smugglers that the only method of pre-
venting its entry across the vast borders of China
would be to prohibit its manufacture in quantity
beyond medical need. To strike at the root is the
only certain cure ; to keep clipping the top does not
destroy a noxious growth. "Since the cessation
of the legal opium trade, India has been producing
opium far in, excess of the lawful requirements of
the civilized world — opium, which goes to Britain
or America or Japan for conversion into morphine,
and thence finds its way into China."
"It is no exaggeration to say that the largest of the
human races is in danger of acquiring a habit which is
recognized throughout the world as more dangerous to
humanity than any other — addiction to the worst forms
of narcotic drugs. The average dose of morphia for
legitimate medicinal purposes, is one quarter of a grain.
There are 7,000 grains or 28,000 ordinary doses in a pound
of pure morphine. The number of doctors trained upon
Western lines, practicing in China and competent to
prescribe morphia is, at most, a few hundred, and the
legitimate requirements of this country probably amount,
at most, to one or two hundred pounds per annum. But
the stuff is being smuggled into China, annually, by the
ton. If Dr. Wu Lien-teh's estimate be correct, and
twenty-eight tons were smuggled into this country in
1919, the quantity which found its way into China last
year would have sufficed for four injections for every
man, woman and child of the population. It is, of
course, well-known that at present only a fraction of the
Chinese population is addicted to the use of morphia,
either by injections, or in the form of pills, but these
astounding figures reveal the gravity of the menace,
which will continue to spread as long as Japanese pedlars
can obtain supplies of the drug from British, American
or Japanese factories."
The unfortunate weakness of the Chinese central
government, which finds itself unable to check
treaty-defying operations of foreigners within its
territory without diplomatic complications and
humiliations, naturally places the suppression of
this most criminal of traffics beyond China's
borders, even at the doors from which the drug
issues. Laws regarding the regulating of the
transportation and distribution of the drug, amount
to little when smuggling is so easily accomplished
and so enormously profitable.
Dr. Wang Chung-hui of the Chinese Law Codifica-
tion Commission in an article presenting "Sugges-
tions for Opium Legislation" urges :
"A strict government control at every stage of these
injurious drugs, from the collection of raw material for
the manufacture of narcotics to their final disposal. With-
out some such protection, China is in the position of the
man in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, who was unable to
put out the fire because while he was pouring water on
the fire on this side of the wall, another was feeding it
with oil on the other. It is extremely difficult for China
to curb the cupidity of avaricious officials who deal in
opium for their own profit, while a rich stream of the
drug is flowing into the country from the outside.
"The drug habit is so insidious, and the profits of the
trade so enormous, that nothing less than co-operation
between the various Powers can eliminate it. The laws
established for the control of opium and other drugs
should aim not only at the protection of the citizens of
the country framing the laws, but also at the prevention
of misuse of the drug, no matter whether such misuse
occurs in that country or in a country to which the drug
174
CHINAS MILLIONS
is to be exported. The producing country should
shoulder the responsibility for control."
Editorially, the "Peking and Tientsin Times"
says :
"One does not need to be a rigid moralist to hold the
morphia traffic in utter detestation. One has only to
recall the drastic measures enforced in every civilized
country where the drug-habit makes its appearance to
realize that no government that cares for the welfare
of its people can afford to ignore a menace so insidious
and so deadly. The morphia-addict is a doomed man
unless measures can be taken to prevent him from se-
curing the drug for which he craves. The morphino-
maniac ceases to be a useful member of the community.
"We have no desire to extenuate or condone the de-
Here and There
Rev. and Mrs. L. C. Whitelaw who
for health reasons have been in Mus-
koka from January of this year to
October, are now purposing to re-
turn to China. They will sail, D.V.,
on November 18th, together with
their children. In visiting Strat-
ford, Woodstock and Buffalo they
have been privileged to have good
meetings, specially in the latter city
where they met with Miss Quad-
lander's classes.
A party including Mr. and Mrs.
Best, Miss Kratzer and Mr. Nauman
were prevented, by various circum-
stances, from having any meetings
before sailing from Vancouver on
October 21st. At Victoria they were
joined by Mr. B. C. Lambert, a new
worker.
Mr. Lambert, before sailing, was
able to give testimonies at Van-
couver, Seattle and Victoria. The
valedictory service at his own church
being an inspiring occasion, which it
is hoped will bring fruit following
the powerful message of the out-
going worker.
Rev. Charles Thomson during a
part of this month has been visiting
southern Idaho, visiting several
churches including that of his former
pastorate in Wendell.
Mr. F. H. Rhodes, near the end of
October, was speaking at Norwood,
Warsaw and Peterboro where he had
cordial welcome and a number of
meetings.
Rev. and Mrs. F. A. Steven to-
gether with Mr. and Mrs. F. H.
Rhodes held .meetings in Montreal
early in November. These were fol-
lowed by meetings in Maxville and
Perth.
Summer Evangelistic Work
Mr. Saunders, who has recently
conducted a special evangelistic cam-
paign in the Central Gospel Hall at
Yangchow in giving an account of
these meetings, writes : "Notwith-
standing the exceptionally hot spell
the attendance was good and every
night, with the exception of one, when
there was a very big rainstorm, there
was an audience of about 120 men, and
even on the wet night there were
about sixty. It is to the praise of
God to write that Jesus Christ and
Him crucified is still the power that
attracts men. Apart from the primal
result of men confessing Jesus Christ
as Savior, there have been other
results of the effort of a more second-
ary character, for which we praise
God. The audiences were largely
composed of shopkeepers and assist-
ants, the very class we were specially
praying for. Like myself you have
often heard it said that what seemed
to be most lacking in China is con-
viction of sin, but in these meetings
we have had a very clear evi-
dence of the work of the Spirit
along that line. One day we
got a letter from a man who
had been at the meeting the
night before and had written the
letter when he had got to his home.
He said that he had known the
doctrine for a number of years, but
never had he been convicted of his
sin until that night. He had failed
that night to confess the Lord Jesus
Christ through fear of one who was
with him, and because that one was
usually with him and did all he could
to hinder his liberty of action he
would find it difficult but was deter-
mined to confess Christ at the first
opportunity, which he hoped would
be the next night. The next night
there was a tremendous downpour of
rain, and many were prevented from
coming."
plorable lapses of the Chinese. But even if China were
'governed' instead of misgoverned, the temptation to
defy the opium prohibition laws in existing circumstances
would be almost overwhelming. It is imposing an un-
reasonable strain upon human nature to expect a people
long addicted to the use of opium to abstain from its
cultivation when raw and prepared opium and opium in
the far more insidious form of morphia, continue to pour
into the country by the ton. A not altogether un-
scrupulous Chinese in such circumstances may ask why
he is debarred from profiting from a trade which
flourishes openly through other channels. Some, at
least, of the responsibility for the revival of opium pro-
duction in this country rests with those Governments
whose negligence permits of the unlimited smuggling of
opium and morphine into China."
Prayer Calls — Praise Echoes
An Index for Prayer Union Members
Thank God for the possibility of
"abiding in Him." May the Spirit
teach us this lesson (page 164).
Pray for more to share the privi-
lege of missionaries (p. 166).
Pray for the Tibetan lama at Kam
(p. 166).
Thank God for the transforming
power of the Gospel among the
women of China and pray for the
conversion of a persecuting husband
(p. 167).
Pray that General Feng and his
men may be kept true to Christ and
further used (p. 168).
Pray for those engaged in trans-
lation and conference work (p. 168).
Pray that the teaching of school-
girls may go from head to heart and
result in their conversion (p. 170).
Thank God for the Chefoo schools
and what they mean to the Mission
(pp. 170 and 171).
Remember China's unrest and ask
God for a controlling government
(P. 172).
Remember those who are suffering
in districts swept by famine and
cholera (pp. 172 and 173).
Let us pray and do what we can
to prevent the widespread introduc-
tion of morphia into China (p. 173).
Remember in prayer the new work-
ers lately gone to China, particularly
Mr. Lambert (p. 174).
Ask God's Blessing on our deputa-
tion work (p. 174).
Remember those who serve in the
Mission at home (p. 175).
DEPARTURES
October 21st, 1920. from Vancouver.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Best and
daughter Helen, Rev. C. B. Nauman.
Miss A. Kratzer, returning, joined
by Mr. B. C. Lambert at Victoria,
B.C., for China.
BIRTH
October 24th, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs.
George K. Harris of Kansu, a
daughter.
NOVEMBER. 1920
Editorial Notes
AT the time that Rev. and Mrs. Brownlee were
asked to take charge of the Home and office
work at Toronto, the appointment was not made
permanent as they hoped to return to China. For
this reason Mr. Brownlee was given the title of
"Acting Secretary." Some months since, however,
it became plain to all concerned that our friends,
particularly because of the physical condition of
their son, would have to postpone indefinitely re-
turning to their service abroad. In view of this
Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee's positions have been made
permanent. The word "Acting" before Mr. Brown-
lee's title has been dropped, his position now being
Secretary of the Mission at Toronto. God is hon-
oring and using our friends and we commend them
to the affection and prayers of all who are inter-
ested in our work.
Many and varied are the subjects which beg our
attention in this issue. In the background, very
obvious and over-shadowing stand the facts of
famine, disease, continued lawlessness and un-
abandoned use of drugs. Were the horrors of
hopeless heathenism removed these material condi-
tions in themselves would be enough to wring our
hearts. What gratitude we should give to God
that our own lines are fallen in pleasant places.
Against the background, stand forth encourage-
ments like lights in the darkness. The influence
of a Christian general, the changing of a district
through a humble woman's personal witnessing, the
reaching of backward women through patient Bible
instruction — these and many other things show that
God is working in China and His loyal servants
there are seeing fruit to their labors.
Christians who cherish "the whole Bible as the
revealed Word of God" and hold the atoning sacri-
fice of our Saviour as an essential doctrine of our
faith, have viewed with dismay, but perhaps with
too little protest, the contrary views and teaching
so often expressed in our home pulpits, institutions
and publications. The thistle seed of destructive
criticism so widely blown across our own fair con-
tinent has been carried to darker lands to the chok-
ing of the Word there and the confusion of con-
verts coming out of heathendom. In August of this
year a movement of protest and testimony was he-
gun among missionaries of various denominations
and societies in China, forming "The Bible Union of
China" to "contend earnestly for the faith which
was once for all delivered unto the saints," and
holding as fundamental the doctrines "set forth in
the Apostles' Creed, accepted according to its or-
iginal and obvious meaning." The movement is a
defensive act. God only knows what its conse-
quences will be, but as one on the field has said, "It
had to come !" We ask that at home, prayer at least
may be given in support of those who, pressed to
definite witness, are making a confession like
Luther's, "Here I stand: I cannot do otherwise;
God help me ! Amen."
In that remarkable second volume of the Life of
Hudson Taylor which has proved to many to be a
book of inspiration as well as information, a reader
found reference to an article written about 1869
by Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, which was a bless-
ing to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor in the midst of the
cares of their work in China. Forthwith an in-
quiry was made for the booklet referred to, from
which a mere couple of paragraphs had been quoted.
It was found to be out of print ; and even the maga-
zine, "The Revival," in which it first appeared, no
longer exists: But through the courtesy of Messrs.
Morgan & Scott of London, who publish "The
Christian" which absorbed and succeeded "The Re-
vival," a copy of the article was typewritten from
their files and forwarded to us, hence we are able
to reprint it as the leading article of our present
number. It may also be obtained from us in
pamphlet form. We trust this practical message
which has to do with living "the life of rest" amidst
the testing affairs of every day life may be carried
to many, to their relief and blessing.
"More to Follow." The recent Home-call
(October 13th) of the widely-known and well-be-
loved singer and evangelistic leader, Charles M.
Alexander, has left numbers bereaved. At the
time of the Torrey-Alexander Meetings in Toronto,
some years ago, it was the privilege of the China
Inland Mission to have both Dr. Torrey and Mr.
Alexander staying in the Mission Home throughout
the course of the meetings. Mr. Alexander, it
seems, had just previously visited Niagara Falls
and the symbolism of power and continuity which
that great cataract furnished, deeply impressed him.
Previous to his departure from Toronto he pre-
sented to his hostess, the late Mrs. J. S. Helmer, a
very large and beautifully framed photograph of
the Falls — the view taken from below and showing
practically only the great arch of falling, shim-
mering masses of water — while underneath were
painted the significant words, "More to Follow."
This photograph still hangs upon the wall of the
Mission Home. And as we think of those who
have passed on— not only Mr. Alexander, but his co-
laborer Dr. Chapman and many others — are we
tempted to feel something of the isolation of Elijah
who "was a man subject to like passions as we are"?
Do we wonder what God will do without these
leaders? Let us listen to His answer in the true
refrain, "More to follow." But we sigh, perhaps,
at the thought of the "unfinished years," the "in-
terrupted service." Let us again listen to the song,
floating even into realms beyond with faith's as-
surance, "Still there's more to follow !" And yet,
here on earth, where apparently the voice is stilled,
have we not echoes of ringing words that have been
sung or spoken, still vibrating, bearing the Gospel
message, and all to the glory of the everlasting God
who causes "More to follow."
MONEYS ACKNOWLEDGED BY
MISSION RECEIPTS. OCTOBER, 1920
PHILADELPHIA
MISSIONARY AND
Date No.
Amount
Date No.
Amount
GENERAL PURPOSES
15—1274
$ 5 . 00
4—1226. . .
?' 25 (in
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1228Int.
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Amount
1100
1229. . . .
10.00
1—1207
.. $ 1.000.00
1277^
1 . 00
1230
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1208
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Hi— 127S.
5.00
6—1238
6.00
1209
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10.00
7—1243
25.00
1210
79
1282.
100.00
8—1245. . . .
5 . 00
2—1211
350
00
1283.
2.00
9—1253
78.15
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1.00
38.00
1213
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30 . 00
1256 '.'.'.'.
25 . 00
4—1214
50
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12.00
1258
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1215
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10.00
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47.50
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23.60
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00
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12.00
18—1280
5.00
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6 . 00
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10.00
22—1304
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25.00
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1246
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80
1329. .
175.00
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90 . 00
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SPECIAL
PURPOSES
30—1339
1340
25.00
5.00
1265
75
Date No.
Amount
1344
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15—126!;
300
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4—1218. .
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1 345
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$1,356.70
MISSIONARY AND
GENERAL PURPOSES
Date No
Amount
4—1073
... $ 5.00
1074
10.00
1075
5.00
1076
25.00
1077
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CHINA INLAND MISSION PUBLICATIONS
HUDSON TAYLOR IN EARLY YEARS
(THE GROWTH OF A SOUL)
The First Volume of the C.I.M. Founder's Biography
By Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
Illustrations, maps, cloth binding, $2.25
HUDSON TAYLOR and the CHINA INLAND
MISSION
(THE GROWTH OF A WORK OF GOD)
The Second Volume of the life of Hudson Taylor
By Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
Portraits, map, cloth binding, $2.60
The life of PASTOR HSI in new editions
"One of China's Scholars"
The story of Pastor Hsi's early life and conversion
Unabridged, heavy paper binding, 75c.
One of China 's Christians
The life and work of Hsi the spiritual leader
As above, heavy paper binding, 75c.
The two parts combined in one
PASTOR HSI: THE CONFUCIAN SCHOLAR
AND CHRISTIAN
By Mrs. Howard Taylor. Cloth binding, $2 00
A
mffiF^ Counsel & Cbccr
fr /- Calcnoar
(Ennnael
(Calendar
New design, as
SUMMARY
From Philadelphia —
For Missionary and General Purposes. . . $ 5.821.52
For Special Purposes 1,356.70
$7,178.22
From Toronto —
For Missionary and General Purposes. ... $ 3.050.85
For Special Purposes 892.70
$ 3,943.55
$ 11.121.77
Previously acknowledged. 1920 $ 131 .095.34
* 142217 11
1
EBENEZER
VOL. XXVIIII. No. 12 THE ORGAN OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION $0.75 PER YEAR
CHINAS
MILLIONS
MISSION OFFICES
GERMANTOWN
PHILADELPHIA. PA
r. December 12, 1917. at the post office at Buffal.
for mailing at special rate of postage pro
authorized July 18. 1916
TORONTO
DECEMBER, 1920
•The Spirit of Jehovah'— By Pastor Stearns
The Varied Work of a "Business Depart-
ment" Missionary— By Mr. J. Gardiner. .
A True Ministry by Chinese Boy Nurses
—ByMrs.E.Grosart
Little Anna — By Mrs. Rvbt. Gillie
A Visitor with a Violin at a Lisu C hristmas
Festival— By Mr. A. B.Cooke
Can God Spread a Table in the Wilder-
ness? — By Mr. A . Moore
MISSION OFFICES
507 CHURCH ST
TORONTO. ONT
In Home and School— By Mrs. J. S. Fiddler.
Children in "Miaoland" — By Messrs. Hm
tonandNicholls
Not Used to Dolls— By Miss Lena I. Webe
Arrivals and Departures. .
The Famine in Chins
Donations
JEH0WMH
■ ' : " & — mimmBbS™
gllj
f^M^mf^k Bar
m&fF fjSr
^<fc
he province o
MISSION FOUNDED IN 1865
By the late REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR
General Director
D. E. HOSTE, SHANGHAI, CHINA
Director for North America
HENRY W. FROST, PRINCETON. N.J.
Council for North America
Henry W. Frost, Chairman
Philadelphia, Pa.
Roger B. Whittlesey, Secretary-Treasurer
Toronto, Ont.
E. A. Brownlee, Secretary
Robert Wallace, Treasurer.
Frederic F. Helmer, Publication and
Prayer Union Secretary
J. O. Anderson, Toronto, Ont.
Horace C. Coleman, Norristown, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Erdman, D.D., Germantown, Pa.
Prof. Chas. R. Erdman, D.D., Princeton, N.J.
Rev. Fred W. Farr, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
J. J. Gartshore, Toronto, Ont.
George W. Grier, Montreal, Que.
Rev. Andrew S. Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Howard A. Kelly, M.D., Baltimore, Md.
Rev. Joseph T. Kelley, D.D., Washington, D.C.
Wm. F. McCorkle, Detroit, Mich.
Rev. John McNicol, B.D., Toronto, Ont.
Rev. D. McTavish, D.Sc, Toronto, Ont.
Henry O'Brien, K.C., Toronto, Ont.
Principal T. R. O'Meara, D.D., Toronto, Ont.
T. Edward Ross, Ardmore, Pa.
Rev. W. J. Southam, B.D., Winnipeg, Man.
Rev. D. M. Stearns, Germantown, Pa.
Rev. F. A. Steven, London, Ont.
Rev. John H. Strong, D D., Baltimore, Md.
Rev. R. A. Torrey, D.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
ORIGIN. The Mission was formed with the
object of carrying the Gospel to the millions
of souls in the inland provinces of China.
METHODS. (1) Candidates, if duly qualified
are accepted irrespective of nationality, and
without restriction as to denomination, pro-
vided there is soundness in the faith on all
fundamental truths. (2) The Mission does
not go into debt. It guarantees no income to
the missionaries, but ministers to each as the
funds sent in will allow; thus all the workers
»re expected to depend on God alone for tem-
poral supplies. (3) No collections or personal
solicitations of money are authorized.
AGENCY. The staff of the Mission in Janu-
ary, 1920, consisted of 1,081 missionaries
(including wives and Associate members).
There are also over 3,400 native helpers,
»ome of whom are supported from the Mission
funds, and others provided for by themselves
or by native contributions.
PROGRESS. Upwards of 1,800 stations and
outstations have been opened and are now
occupied either by missionaries or native
laborers. There were 6,531 baptized in 1919.
There are now about 52,400 communicants.
Since 1865, over 77,000 converts have been
baptized.
CHINA INLAND MISSION
MISSION OFFICES
237 School Lane. Philadelphia, Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont.
MISSION HOMES
235 School Lane Philadelphia. Pa.
507 Church Street, Toronto, Ont
INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENTS AND DONORS
espondence should be addressed, donations be remitted, and applicatioi
n China should be made to "The Secretary of the China Inland Miss
made payable to the "Chin
NOTE.— Postage
v five cents per ounce
In the case of a dc
i donation being intended as a contribution toward any special object,
either at home or in China, it is requested that this be stated very clearly. If no such desig-
nation is made, it will be understood that the gift is intended for the General Fund of the
Mission, and in this case it will be used according to the needs of fhe work at home or abroad.
Any sums of money sent for the private use of an individual, and not intended as a donation to
the Mission to relieve the Mission funds of his support, should be clearly indicated as for
" transmission, " and for the private use of that individual.
and bequeath.
to be expended for the appro-
priate objectsof said Mission ;
and I direct tnat the release of
the Home Director of said Mis-
sion shall be a sufficient dis-
charge for my executors in the
of China Inland Miss
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania." In cas«
the will is made out in Canada, the fol-
lowing words need to be inserted : "hav-
FORM OF DEVISE— I give and d.
,11 thai
, i here
property) with the i
in fee simple, for the use, bene-
fit and behalf of said Mission
forever; and direct that the re-
lease of the Home Director of
said Mission shall be. sufficient
discharge to my executors in
. the premises.
PRAYER MEETINGS on behalf of the WORK IN CHINA
connected with the CHINA INLAND MISSION are held a. follow. :
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. WEEKLY
China Inland Mission Home, 235 School Lane Friday 8.00 p.m.
Church of the Atonement, Chelten Ave Wednesdav S.00 p.m.
Ventnor, N.J. (Atlantic City).
Res., Mr. F. H. Neale, C.I.M. Representative, 6506 Ventnor Ave.. Friday 3.30 p.m.
Superior. Wis.
Res., Mrs. Geo. Hanson, 1206 Harrison St Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Mound, Minn., Res., Mr. F. E. Tallant Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Tacoma, Wash.
Res., Mrs. Billington. 811 So. Junett St Mon. Afternoon
Toronto, Ont.
China Inland Mission Home, 507 Church St
Vancouver, B.C.
Res.. Rev. Chas. Thomson, C.I.M. Representative, 1936
Keefer St. and other local centres Fridays 8.00 p.m.
Bible Training School. 356 Broadway W 2nd Friday 8.00 p.m.
St. Louis, Mo. SEMI-MONTHLY
Res., Dr. Mary H. McLean, 4339 Delmar Blvd 2nd & 4th Mon . .8.00 p.m.
MONTHLY
Albany, N.Y., Bible School, 107 Columbia St 1st Thurs. (morn). . 8 . 30 a.m.
Buffalo, N.Y., Res.. Miss Quadlander, 562 East Utica St 3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Lockport, N.Y., Res.. Mrs. W. B. Singleton. 189 East Ave .last Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Cleveland. Ohio, Res.. Miss 2. A. Broughton, 4223 Cedar Ave. 1st Monday 7.30 p.m.
Detroit, Mich., Res., Mr. James Bain, 114 Stanford Ave 3rd Friday 8.00 p.m.
..Friday 8.00 p
8th St Thurs. after 1st. Sunday.
Bethel, Minn., The Baptist Church Wed. after 1st Sunday.
Los Angeles, Cal., Res., Mrs. O. A. Allen, 949 No. Normandie
Garden St 2nd Monday 8.00 p.m
Halifax. N.S., At various homes. Sec, Mrs. E. L. Fenerty.
Armdale 2nd Monday 3.15 p.m
Montreal, Que., Res., Mr. J. David Fraser, 350 MacKay St.. .1st Monday 4.00 p.m
Ottawa, Ont., At Y.W.C.A. Chairman, Com'd'r. Stephens,
99,' Acacia Ave : 2nd Friday 8.00 p.—
Niagara Falls, Ont., Gospel Tabernacle. Temperance "
Hamilton, Ont., Caroline St. Mis:
Supt.)
London, Ont., Res., Rev. F. A. Steven, C.I.M. Representative,
. 3rd Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
Bolsover, Ont.,
t various homes. Sec, Miss A. M. McRae,
..3.00 p.m.
_ V.lst Monday 8.00 p.m.
Vancouver West, B.C., Union Church 3rd Sunday 8.00 p.m.
Victoria. B.C.. Sec, Mrs. Jas. Lauderdale, 148 So. Turner
St 1st Tuesday 8.00 p.m.
CHINAS MILLIONS
TORONTO, DECEMBER, 1920
"The Spirit
Portions of a Study in Micah,
SOME one may feel inclined to say that Micah is
about like all the rest of the prophets ; each of
them tell the same story, and when we have read
one prophet, we have read all. Now if you are ever
tempted to pass by any of the prophets, it will be
well to remember the words of the Lord Jesus in
regard to this. In the last
chapter of Luke we read
that as two of the dis-
ciples were walking to
Eramaus after the cruci-
fixion, and talking about
Jesus. Jesus Himself drew
near to them, and "be-
ginning at Moses and all
the prophets, He ex-
pounded unto them in all
the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself."
He did not pass by any
of the prophets. And in
the last chapter of the
Book of Acts we find the
apostle Paul at Rome
talking to all that came
unto him and expounding
and testifying out of the
law of Moses and the
prophets. He did not talk-
about the weather : he did
not talk about business ;
he did not talk about the
great eights to be' seen at
Rome — but he spoke of ^ LATE PASTOR D . M . STEARN ,
the things of the King- mission council i
dom. He received all that
came to him, to whom he expounded and testified
the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning
Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the
prophets, from morning until evening.
Micah is the only prophet who foretold the birth-
place of the Messiah. This points him out in a
special manner. We read in Genesis that the
Messiah is to come from Judah, but Micah is the
only one who definitely points out His birthplace.
In every name of these prophets there is much
food. Let us run over them. . . . And to-night
we have Micah — (meaning) "who is as Jehovah."
For Jesus is God; God manifest in the flesh, and all
the prophets of God stand in God's stead. That
brings up this — in one sense awful — thought, that
as I stand and talk to you to-night, I stand as God's
of Jehovah"
by Pastor D. M. STEARNS
mouth-piece. Now is that not enough to make a
man tremble and refuse to go forward? But all we
can do is to take the message as God gives it to us.
May God help you to receive the message through
His Word by His Spirit.
I often think of it this way: some day our work
here shall end, yours and
mine ; we cannot tell how
soon, or when or where,
but it shall end; that is,
the work here in the mor-
tal body. Blessed be God,
our work shall never end,
I expect to serve the Lord
Jesus Christ forever, I
expect to be serving Him
a thousand years from
now, I expect to be serv-
ing Him ten thousand
years from now, I expect
to serve him through all
eternity, and I often say
if it is so good to serve
Him here, what will it be
up there?
But our work in the
mortal body shall end.
What shall it be like after
that? Should it end to-
night, those of us who are
ready would find our-
selves immediately with
the prophets. We should
become acquainted with
member of the china inland Hosea, Micah, Joel and
a north America. Amos ; we should become
acquainted with Daniel,
Ezekiel, Isaiah and Jeremiah, and all the pro-
phets. We should see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ;
we should see Peter, Paul, James and John; we
should see Abel, and Enoch, and Noah, and oh !
what hosts we would become acquainted with, and
best of all we shall see Jesus.
These things are real, and if they were more real
to us, we would not think so sadly as so many do.
of the stepping out from the present work into the
life beyond.
Let us live as if the work might end at any time,
and let vis pray God to give us a message to our
hearts.
Miaah lived before Jeremiah's time. You find in
the Book of Jeremiah that they were going to put
Jeremiah to death, and some one pleaded for him.
180
Jeremiah was saying. "This city shall be destroyed,
you will be carried captive, the judgment of God
will overtake you unless you repent and turn away
from your sins." And some one said, "Make that
man stop ; we do not like that sort of talk !" That
is what we would call in these days .pessimistic ;
that is, looking at the dark side of things. "Make
that man stop ! Put him to death."
Then some one said Micah, the Morasthite, pro-
phesied in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and
spake to all the people of Judah, saying, "Thus saith
the Lord of hosts : Zion shall be plowed like a field,
and Jerusalem shall become heaps and the moun-
tains of the house as the high places of a forest."
Did Hezekiah, king of Judah, and all Judah put him
to death? Did he not fear the Lord, and besought
the Lord, and the Lord repented Him of the evil
which He had pronounced against them?
So this man pleaded for Jeremiah, and reminded
them of this prophecy of Micah's, and thus Jere-
miah's life was spared for the time being.
Micah prophesied at the same time that Isaiah and
Hosea did, but some hundreds of years before Jere-
miah, and yet the prophets have all the same words
to tell. They urge the people to repent, to turn to
God, that it may be well with them, that they may
have a blessing from God, and avert the judgment
that would surely come if they did not repent. We
find in all the prophets reproof, threatening and
glorious promises.
"Hear, all ye people ; hearken, oh, earth, and all
that therein is : and let the Lord God be witness
against you, the Lord from His holy temple." The
Lord shall be a witness against us. He does not
want to be. If He is, it is because we are against
Him. "If God be for us, who can be against us ?"
But if we persist, as Israel did, in rebellion against
Him, then He is surely against us. We do not like
the Word of God sometimes because it is so much
against us. We like certain things which the Lord
does not like, and therefore we won't read that part
of the Bible that touches them. Rather let us say,
"Let the Lord be a witness against me now rather
than at the day of judgment."
"The Lord is in His holy temple ; for, behold, the
Lord cometh forth out of His place and will come
down and tread upon the high places of the earth."
Here is a cry of Revelation in the New Testament:
"Behold, the Lord cometh." If I should dwell on
that to-night, you might say, we have heard that
before ; that is a hobby of yours. It is a hobby of
the Bible. You will find that in the Psalms, in the
prophets, in all the epistles, and the last book in the
Bible begins and ends with it.
"Behold, the Lord cometh forth out of His place."
What is God going to do? "To tread upon the high
places of the earth." Joshua was told that all the
places he would tread upon, God would give him. Is
God honored to-day in the high places of the earth ?
But the Lord is coming to tread upon these places,
and take possession of them.
"And the mountains shall be molten under Him,
and the valleys shall be cleft as wax before the fire,
and as the waters that are poured down a steep
place." It will be a fearful shaking. We cannot tell
CHINA'S MILLIONS
you anything about the manner ; we can only urge
you to believe the story and be ready.
And why is all this?' Why will God judge the
world? Why was He coming to judge Israel in Mi-
cah's day? "For the transgressions of Jacob is all
this, and for the sins of the house of Israel." And
these transgressions and these sins are more fully
spoken of in the second chapter : "Woe to them that
devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds ; when
the morning is light, they practice it because it is in
the power of their hands ; and they covet fields and
take them by violence ; and houses and take th<rm
away; so they oppress a man and his house even a
man and his heritage."
How is it in these days ? Is there any devising of
iniquity at night? Do people ever lie awake at
night and think how they shall obtain some pro-
perty? Is there any thought of oppression in any
one's heart?
It is just as true to-day as it was in Micah's day
that men devise iniquity upon their beds at night
and in the morning, as soon as it is light, they go
out to practice it, and do it because they have power
to do it. There is much power on the side of many
men to-day where there is very little righteousness,
and we wonder how it will all come out.
"As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in
the days of the Son of Man." But He who sees all
these things, is going to right every wrong, and
make this world full of righteousness.
Their transgressions and sins — transgressions,
that is going beyond the mark ; sin, is coming shox t.
Is not our prayer, "We have done those things
which we ought not to have done" — that is trans-
gression ; "and we have left undone those things
which we ought to have done" — that is sin. And
iniquity is the root of the whole thing.
What is our safety? Mine to-night is this.
Enough of iniquity, transgression and sin God has
seen in me to send me away from His presence
forever; iniquity, transgression and -sin — the root
•and the fruit. We are all together in this matter,
all sinners, and all come short of the glory of God.
But I am not afraid of judgment. What about you,
dear friends? Does your heart say, I am not afraid
either? Why am I not afraid? Because Jesus died
for me; Israel's Messiah died in my place, bearing
my sins. He will be my Judge, and the Judge is my
friend. Now that takes away all fear, and makes it
bright as I look out in the future. The Judge is my
Savior ; He paid the debt for me, He lives for me,
and that takes away all fear.
Are you glad? Now I am so glad that I cannot
thank Him enough for it. I am not living this
Christian life and preaching in order to be saved. I
do not expect all the work I do will add one whit to
my salvation. I am saved only through the blood of
Christ ; but because He, in His infinite love, has laid
down His life for me, and redeemed me, what want
I with operas and theatres and great balls ? What
does any Christian want with these things ? If you
do, it is because you do not know the love of God.
and it is those of whom Jesus says, "Yes, they want
Me to save them, but I cannot get any work out of
them. They only want salvation!"
DECEMBER. 1920
Now if you are glad that Jesus has redeemed you,
you want nothing of these things, you want to be
all for Him because He has saved you.
What will all this holiness do if it does not add to
our salvation?
I add to your reward, to your they may be right here
181
glory, to your future happiness, but as far as per-
sonal safety is concerned in the day of judgment,
the blood of the Lord Jesus does that, and if your
sins and transgressions are not all forgiven to-night,
The Varied Work of a "Business Department" Missionary
By Mr. JAMES GARDINER. Pingyao, Shansi
THE most sensitive censor would pass the exag-
geration that this great plain, say one hun-
dred and twenty miles by sixty, is one' vast
cemetery. Thus it appeared to us as we left the
railway and wended our way here a year or two
ago. The Manchus, to curry favor, left the Ming
dynasty grave mounds and tombs standing; for the
same reason the Republicans left the Manchu
tombs, mounds and towers. So, with no govern-
ment prerogative exercized at present in regard
to this plain, littered with mounds from live to six
hundred years old, the people must surely be occa-
sionally exercised in mind between a desire to
use the ground for cultivation and a sense of rever-
ence, respect and fear for the buried remains.
Every three miles along the ancient road to the
capital of this province there are remains of large
beacon mounds probably used once for sending me. -
sages by fire flashes or smoke.
We passed through Eaikuh. The money exchange
rate for the day is fixed in Faikuh and sent to other
cities by carrier pigeon and telegraph. We were
royally entertained, as newcomers to the province,
by the large staff of workers of the American Con-
gregational Church Mission there.
The next evening we spent with Mr. and Mrs.
Falls at Kihsien. This city with Faikuh, Pingyao
and Taiyuen the capital, are the four busiest cities
in the province of Shansi. At Kihsien in 1911, one
millionaire handed over sixteen freight cart loads
of silver "shoes" (ingots) to the then new Republi-
can government. It had a chequered career en
route to Taiyuen, the capital.
The next day we reached our new station. Ping-
yao is the home of the banking system of China,
one reason doubtless for making it the China Inland
Mission business centre for central Shansi. From
here I send native drafts for a given number • of
ounces of silver to stations days distant, where our
missionaries cash them on the streets. Here there
are also ready means for hiring mules, camels, pas-
senger and freight carts.
The broad cart road, streets and open spaces are
a contrast to the narrow, crowded streets of the
Hunan cities. The climate, too, is different. Owmg
to its dryness, to-day's 104 degrees in the shade is
noticeable chiefly by looking at the thermometer
and by the lassitude of the fowds and "Tiny,"' our
dog. In Hunan, with its humidity, it would tell
another story.
The customs are different. The dialect is also
different. The people are different; they are very
sleepy. This is strange in a climate so high and dry
that some missionaries, my wife among them, have
difficulty in getting a necessary amount of sleep.
I'm told that twenty years ago, everybody smoked
opium (another permissable exaggeration). Can it
be that some narcotic legacy is left to those who
have broken off the habit and also is transmitted to
the rising generation? I have seen Mr. Goforth
during special services, sit down in the middle of his
sermon to create a diversion by silence to wake
them up.
All praise to the Chinese Government for giving
to the flames twenty million dollars worth of Indian
opium ! Here at Pingyao the very rich, to guard
against sudden arrest for smoking the drug, keep
special watchmen for night duty. To one hospital
in the province some rich women came to break off
opium ; they wanted the doctor's certificate as a
guarantee against official fines. But it was all
make-believe ; they had no intention of breaking off,
182
for they had sufficient opium for a lifetime stored
in their home.
Pingyao is a double-barrelled station; a church
centre and a business centre. Mr. and Mrs. Milsum
• were in charge of the business department for six-
teen years. Mr. Jennings then for two years, after
which he was transferred to the care of the church
on our taking the appointment to the business
department.
This Business Department is one among others in
this Mission. Two, Ningpo and Tientsin, are at the
coast ; six, namely, Chinkiang, Wuhu, Kiukiang,
Hankow, Ichang and Chungking are on the Yangtse
River — 1,200 miles at least, separating the first from
the last named. From these "B.D.'s" all the stations
are cared for ; they themselves being the main
arteries fed from the heart of the system, our
Shanghai headquarters.
The Pingyao "B.D." district begins with Hotsin
in the south (the Hankow district reaching to the
stations just south of that city) and goes north to
some of the mountain stations where it touches the
limits of the Tientsin "parish."
We carry in stock an average of 1,000 taels (tael,
one ounce of silver) of stores and supplies ; have a
freight room ; Bible and book depot ; and extra
rooms for missionaries passing through.
We have an office equipped for the work. The
desk I am writing at now is historic, Mr. Goodall,
editor of the London "China's Millions" once sat
here at work and a few others since. The office
building is hundreds of years old, being part of the
Camel Inn which this compound once was. The
station pigeonholes in the storeroom still bear
names of those martyred in 1900, and there are
other names that show the complete change in the
personel of all the stations since that year.
In this position I find myself about where I was
before coming to China ; then, dispensing prescrip-
tions every day and some nights, and having
preaching appointments every second Sunday. Now
office and freight duties all the week and seven or
eight Sunday services a quarter, one morning
prayers' session weekly, one hour daily class for a
week occasionally, for inquirers — this in aid of the
church work.
While Mr. Jennings was at Chefoo, anything
special in the way of weddings, funerals, etc., fell
to my lot. One day I conducted the wedding of the
son of a Kiehsiu outstation evangelist. There was
a touch of new China about it ; both the bride and
bridegroom had a modern education, the former had
a diploma from our Hwochow school, the latter had
graduated from the Oberlin Academy at Taiku and
was master of one of the American Board Mission
primary schools.
A few weeks later, Dr. Yen, one of the brightest
Christians I have met in China, came with the
startling request for me to go to his home four miles
away to pray for and anoint with oil, his little
grandson, Lincoln, dying with dysentery. The child
was about one year old ; his father was a second
year student of the Tsinan Medical School — home
CHINAS MILLIONS
for vacation ; the sister's husband, also helping, was
an assistant at the Faikuh hospital. The grand-
father had ten years' experience under Dr. Edwards
at the Baptist Mission hospital at Faiyuen. They
had used a goodly variety of suitable drugs, also
hypodermic injections of emetine and saline solu-
tions by the accredited method. Dr. Yen said, "We
must now trust all to God under the promise of
James 5 :14."
He returned on his bicycle ; I went in a cart.
Between the bumps on the road, I glanced through
McConkey's "Prayer and Healing." I gave the
assembled family a digest of it, especially the inci-
dents related showing that God sometimes healed
and sometimes did "not. After my applying olive oil
to the forehead of the child, there followed a season
of prayer that was uplifting. Down to a boy of
fourteen years of age, everyone present prayed.
During the next thirty-six hours or so the chart
showed that the bonny boy neared death ; then he
was restored and again became the light and joy of
that remarkable Christian home.
The first Sunday in April, I gave the week end
to the ladies' station of Siaoyi, twenty-nine miles or
so from here. Between the services an old man,
now seventy-six years of age, was sent to my room
to tell me of 1900. He was praying with Miss Whit-
church and Miss Searell when the Boxers burst in
and killed the two ladies. He himself was so in-
jured that for forty days he had no relief from suf-
fering.. In his gentle voice he added, "Not one of
them (the persecutors) is alive to-day."
It happened to be the one day of the year speci-
ally set apart in the Chinese calendar for visiting
graves. People might have thought that I had come
from Pingyao specially for that purpose. At any
rate I did homage in my heart to the memory of
those two noble women.
I have had a record month, but to-day has been
practically free and enabled me to get this written
before tackling trial balance and the accounts for
the stations to-morrow.
DECEMBER, 1920
183
A True Ministry by Chinese Boy Nurses
By Mrs. ELSIE GROSART. Pingyang, Shar
AT Pingyang I went to help with the women
patients, but when the hospital opened there
was such an inrush of men patients that I had
to give my time and attention to the men's side
and close down the women's side for there was no
one to cope with that big work but Doctor Carr
and one old student who did not go on strike with
the others. We determined, no matter what the
cost, to "carry on."
First of all we decided to try training men as
nurses for the men's hospital. Every one said it
was impossible, but all things are possible in Him,
and we sent out notices to the different Mission
stations saying that we were willing to take Chris-
tian boys from eighteen to twenty-five years as can-
didates to train for nurses. Our one strong point
was that they must be Christian boys willing to do
"all things" for the Master's sake.
We got many applications and I started in with
twelve raw country boys who never even saw a
hospital before and were half frightened out of their
wits.
I simply had to put these raw boys on to operat-
ing room duty right away. I choose six of the most
intelligent ones for this important task and set to
work to teach them microbe-organism, sterilization,
etc. I knew this teaching must be got into their
brains as the lives of operating cases would be
dependent on their keeping sterile during operation.
Can you imagine the position? Two days a week
are operation days and on these all through last
term there were always eight to ten operations in
the forenoon. Picture it ! Doctor Carr operating,
the old student assisting. I giving the anaesthetic
and at the same time keeping watch on the two
boys who were acting as assistant nurses to see that
they kept themselves sterile and also that they
gave the right instruments to the surgeon and then
on the other hand watching the unsterile boys so
that they kept from knocking against the surgeon
and those who were sterilized. And last, but not
least, these boys were so overcome at the "hor-
rors" of the operation that it required a constant
watch at first to see that they did not faint over the
operation table !
It was serious enough but it had also a very funny
side. When evening came and at supper I related
the day's doings to Mrs. Carr, how she and the doc-
tor both laughed! It helped us all to bear the
strain.
These past four months I have kept close to the
hospital and the training of these boys. From eight
in the morning to seven in the evening I was there
with them, trying to break them in. Doctor Carr
had no time to give them lectures, he was so rushed.
I do not know how he held on. but he was just
great ! The patience he showed to those nurses-in-
training was a marvel and a great lesson to me.
At the end of the term, the Doctor was pleased
at the rapid progress these boys had made. They
developed not only into kind, courteous, faithful
nurses but also keen soul-winners. The witness
they have borne for the Master in their work and
duties have won not a few souls to Him.
Medical work is truly a mighty implement for
gathering in the harvest. May we be more alive to
take up the opportunities.
Often in going round the wards on inspection, as
I speak to the patients about their souls, the reply
comes again and again, "Si-niang. When I came
to the hospital I did not believe in this doctrine. I
had heard about it but was not interested and did
not understand it, but now I understand. I believe
and trust in the'Lord Jesus." This is told with such
a glad light on their faces, that one cannot doubt
they have got the true light in their hearts. Poor
things, they are truly pitiable when they come to the
hospital, but good food and loving care goes a long
way to open their hearts to understand the mighty
love of God who gave His Son to save them.
A beggar came to the clinic one day when we
were all very busy. The Doctor sent him into the
surgery and I found his feet had been frozen. They
were gangrenous and very foul smelling. There
were so many other patients in the surgery at the
time that I had him carried out into the courtyard,
making him as comfortable as possible, while I
dressed his poor feet.
He was just a patient to me and I did not see any-
thing unusual in what I did, but evidently it made
a great impression on my nurses. I heard after-
wards they thought what "a loving heart" I had
that I could "do all that for a beggar." At that
time they had not understood the key note of nurs-
ing — that is, to learn that it is a privilege to attend
anyone who is ill and helpless, whether a king or a
beggar.
It was a Thursday morning when I dressed this
poor fellow's feet. We had a full clinic and I
thought no more about him till evening when leav-
ing the hospital at seven I found him lying in the
doorway of the front court. Evidently he had been
there since the morning. There was no room in the
hospital ; we could not take him in as we were
already overcrowded.
I asked him if he had had food.
No ! He had eaten nothing that day.
He looked so exhausted that he reminded me of
Lazarus ; even the dogs were there, looking at him
with compassion. There were several of the nurses
standing by. For myself I felt ashamed that I had
not seen to him earlier in the day, but being so
rushed with patients there was just a little excuse
for me. I thought that the nurses who knew that
he was lying there without food or drink might
have seen to him, so I turned and told them so,
giving them a sharp rebuke and sending one of
them flying back to the kitchen to bring a bowl of
the best food there was. He brought some bread
and a bowl of rice soup.
Then we had to make the beggar eat slowly, as
he grabbed the food as though he might swallow
184
bowl 'and all. Then I left the nurses to see to him,
first exhorting them 'never again to forget that
they were nurses and their life's duty was to look
after and care for others. To which they replied
with a hearty response that did me good to hear.
Next day (Friday), the beggar was still there.
His dressings were attended to and he also was well
fed., but still there was no place for him. The day
was an unusually heavy one with so many emer-
gency cases to be operated on and cared for that
my boy nurses as well as I myself were about done
out. Moreover on leaving the hospital court in
the evening I again met the beggar lying there.
We again asked at the register if there was no
room whatsoever into which we could put him.
"No. we are overcrowded already,"
Three of the nurses were with me when I was
making these inquiries and one nurse said, "Si-
niang. I know an old disused lumber room right at
the back of the hospital isolation court."
Off we went to look at the room. It was dirty and
quite uninhabitable as the Doctor had condemned
it for patients.
I said. "Why ! We could never put him here."
The quick reply came, "Yes ! I will clean it up
and get it ready for the beggar" ; and the other two
nurses added, "And we will bath him."
You cannot realize what hearing this meant to
me ! The boys were tired; it was already past their
supper time ; and yet here they were more than
willing to do this extra dirty work unasked.
I turned to them and said, "Well, if you do this,
remember it is not for my sake or the hospital's
CHINA'S MILLIONS
sake, but for Christ's sake that you do it and He
will surely bless you. This man reminds me of the
beggar in the Bible; shall we call him Lazalu? He
will be your special patient. His poor body needs
care, but it is your work now to win his soul for
Jesus."
It took all my tiredness away to see those dear
boys take this poor beggar off to bath and clean
him up, while I got clean hospital clothes for him
and bedding.
And those three boy nurses cared for him right
through. One of his feet had to be amputated and
the boys had all the care of him besides their other
hospital duties. They had all a full time table but
did this extra duty so lovingly and well that it was
a joy to see them.
And best of all they won Lazalu's Soul to Jesus.
When last I saw him, just before I left to come to
the hills, his face was so bright and joyous that I
hardly recognized him, and his poor ward was kept
the nicest and cleanest in the hospital.
This story will show how these boy nurses are
developing, what their lives promise for the future,
and what a testimony these lives trained in His ser-
vice will be for China. They love their work and
are all going to continue with their training as
nurses and soul-winners.
I hear people say, "Oh, you cannot train Chinese!"
but to my mind they are far easier to train and
teach than Westerners. Love and patience are
needed but He has promised to give us both. It is
very easy to love the' Chinese; in fact one can't help
loving them, as they are so truly lovable.
Little Anna
By Mrs. ROBERT GILLIES, Kiangchow, Shan
MRS. WANG is a little old lady ; and when we
first saw her she was riding a tall donkey.
The lank grey beast reminded us somewhat
pf an elongated hatrack, and Mrs. Wang's face could
hardly be called prepossessing. Her eyes were sun-
ken and her sallow face peered out of a big black
hood of satin cloth, thickly wadded and securely
tied round her neck and temples. She looked some-
thing like an Egyptian mummy. The largeness of
her head seemed to compensate for the smallness
of her bound feet and these did not reach the heavy
rusty stirrups dangling from knotted rope ends
attached to an iron saddle over which lay the
donkey's grain bag and the bed quilt of the lady
rider.
There were reasons for the X-ray appearance of
the grey donkey as also for the fierce mien of Mrs.
Wang. Her frequent five mile rides to town were
not pleasure trips.
First, it was famine time; second, she was an idol-
ater; third, she was a great opium smoker; and as
a climax to her misery she was an importunate
widow, paying her visits to an unjust judge, calling
on him to avenge her of her adversary because her
home and farm were claimed by unscrupulous
neighbors and she had no son to undertake the mat-
"There's that old lady again!" we would say to
each other as time after time she passed us, little
knowing that one day she was to become an earnest
fellow-worker with us in the Gospel. •
Years passed. She had stayed at the Mission sta-
tion and had conquered her opium habit. Then
Giant Opium conquered her again and she had many
an up and down till Christ Himself overcame, and
everyone knew it was a new Mrs. Wang that rode
the old donkey. Her unbound feet showed every-
one along the road that she now was a Christian.
Even the donkey" was fatter and smarter than he
had been.
Far-away villages had welcomed Mrs. Wang as
a Gospel messenger and even in the distant capital
of the next county she had helped several women
to fight and win their own anti-opium battle. And
yet her own village of nearly a hundred homes still
withstood the Gospel.
These homes were full of rough, ignorant men,
some poor, some prosperous ; of boys who drove
coal-carrying mules and never washed ; of sisters
and wives who painted their faces white and red on
outdoor occasions but otherwise remained indoors
grovelling amidst squalor. And in every home, save
the widow's, a paper door god kept the gate, a tile
earth god from his little bogey hole watched the
DECEMBER, 1920
smoking incense close by and a bronze buddha sat
in each living room. The spirits of the family ances-
tors were represented by mysterious wooden slabs
standing erect in their little sanctuary by the wall.
A god of wealth grinned from a chink in his red
curtains ; the kitchen god, stuck fast to the wall.
Into such a home came a little baby girl. Grandma
frowned and said bad words. Father went off with
the mules, for he didn't care. Mother cried, and
didn't want her. Then someone, to restore the
household tranquility, picked up the little unwanted
• baby — whose only crime was not being a boy — and
slipping out with it under his jacket soon dropped it
in a hole in a field and threw a few spadefuls of
earth over it.
Now, just the day before, a man with a bag on
the end of a pole had passed that place. He was the
Chinese Imperial Mail courier, hurrying along at
his four miles an hour regulation jog trot. His
bag was full of letters, chiefly from filial sons to
venerable parents, all in thin white envelopes with
broad red strips round them and adorned with
numerous hieroglyphics. But among them one
envelope differed greatly from the others. It was
of cream laid paper, black edged, court shaped, and
the writing thereon was to the post office folk, unin-
telligible English!
Inside, the letter read," "Dear friend: I have had
a legacy left me and I feel God wants me to send
you money for a child or poor person whom nobody
loves."
Some weeks before, a slender dainty hand had
carried that letter down one of the loveliest glens
in bonny Scotland, and with many a prayer had
dropped it into the box of a pretty little post office,
under the shade of the Ochils ; and when a dirty
yellow hand laid it down on our window-sill no
wonder we were perplexed.
On Saturdav the weekly examination in the
school found us looking at each of the boys present
and thinking of their little brothers or distant
cousins. But no, we knew no one to answer the des-
cription.
On Sunday morning at the women's door, Mrs.
Wang slid down as usual from her steed.
"Peace to you, Auntie Ho and Auntie Kuoh," she
said; and "Peace to you, Auntie Wang," they re-
plied.
Then rushing into our room she put her question,
"Do you want a little girl ? I don't know why I did
it, but God seemed to make me go and dig her up,
and, though it rained and she was in the ground all
night, I got the mud out of her eyes and mouth and
Love Child, my daughter, is feeding her with flour
gruel till I get back."
She scarcely expected "Yes" for a reply, for we
had often said "No" to offers of the kind. But great
was her surprise when we told of the letter from
Scotland.
"It is the Lord's doing and marvellous in our
eyes!" said all the Christians; and just then Mrs.
Chen chimed in, "My neighbor wants a child to
nurse !"
The same afternoon, Mr. Hai, our helper, re-
turned from the village with the little babe in his
big straw hat. She was so fragile he thought she
might fall to pieces in his arms.
Truly she was waiting for a Savior, so we called
her Anna. Her benefactress went home to Heaven
shortly after but not until arrangements had been
made for Anna's education in hope of her becoming
some day a lady doctor to her own people.
She is eleven now, small for her age, but quick
and resourceful, if not altogether an exemplary
student. She is referred to under her Chinese
schoolgirl name of Little Goodness, in Miss Cable's
book, "The Fulfilment of a Dream," published by
the China Inland Mission.
186
CHINA'S MILLIONS
A Visitor with a Violin at a Lisu Christmas
Festival
By Mr. ALLYN B. COOKE, Tengyueh. Yunnan
AS soon as you get your things packed up, we
will be on our way, for it is already well on
toward noon. We have not far to go, only
about ten miles. But the roads are steep — if they
can be called roads — for they are only paths which
are very indistinct and hard to follow. Were they
any steeper than they are, I am sure we would
have to crawl up on our hands and knees. There
will be no Palace Beautiful at the top either, but we
will have some grand views.
We are indeed in an artist's paradise. We can
almost imagine that those ranges in the distance
are the Delectable Mountains. After traveling for
some time along ridges, up gullies overshadowed
by dense foliage, through bamboo thickets where
we cannot stand upright, down stream beds filled
with rocks and ice, we finally reach Homolinggan,
another Lisu village much larger than the one we
have left.
We will fare better here, as they have more fields
and are Christians also. Eighteen families in all
are believers.
To-night they will gather together for a sing and
prayer. You must get out your violin, too, for they
will be very glad to hear you play. There is a bed
here, so you won't have to sit on the ground. Stanci-
• ing is altogether out of the question, because your
head would bump the ceiling, and your eyes get full
of smoke.
When you are tired of playing we will sing and
you may accompany us if you like.
What is that? Well, I don't know that I blame
you for not recognizing the song they are singing-,
but I am sure you know "Lord I'm Coming Home."
Mr. Fraser's time is so full that he has not had
opportunity to visit this' village for a year or more ;
hence they have not been taught the tune. That
does not bother them, however, as you see, for they
make up the tune as they go along.
Ah ! now they are going to dance. You are not
the only one who can plav a musical instrument, as
you see. This one is something like a banjo although
much smaller. It has three strings made of silk
cord, or sometimes hemp well covered with bees-
wax. Its main purpose is to keep time for the
dancers, for the melody consists of about four notes
repeated until it becomes monotonous, when they
try it in another key for variety.
Do we allow them to dance? Yes. They all stand
in a row along the wall, men at one end and women
at the other. If you will follow my directions you
may be able to join them, though I have not tried
it. Stand on your left foot and scrape your right
foot along the ground in time to the music. With
the next beat, jump from your left to your right
foot and scrape with your left foot, then back
again, etc. There are a few slight variations, such
as turning around and facing the wall or changing
places with the one next to you, but there is nothing
objectionable about it.
We have reached Bangbieh at last after four days
journey and here is Mr. Fraser, who has come out
to meet us. He is not alone, however, for the whole
village has come out to shake hands with us.
My ! what a din of gongs and firing of guns ! You
would think the President had come to call on them.
Don't get vain though and think it is all for you.
Remember there are forty others who have come
with you from Homolinggan and Panggo where we
stopped last night. We will have a nice talk with
Mr. Fraser now and find out something about these
interesting people.
What ! are you not up yet ? It is nearly six
o'clock and we have morning prayer as socm as it
is light. Merry Christmas to you! I will be wait-
ing for you in the chapel, when you come. Mr.
Fraser has already gone down. It was nice to have
a bedroom to yourself, was it not? That bed was
made on purpose for Mr. Fraser. It was just like
him to turn out and give it to you.
Ah ! you have come at last. We did not wait for
you because it is cold and the people want to get
back to their fires. We just had some hymns and
prayer, and announcements for the day. They want
you to play the violin for them until breakfast is
ready. They say that they had rather listen to that
than eat. I expect they would change their minds
if you told them there would be no feast to-day, but
just the violin. They cannot understand how you
can play the violin in Lisu when you cannot speak
their language. They can understand every word
it says. On the contrary, they cannot understand
Mr. Fraser's accordion because it speaks English
even though Mr. Fraser can speak Lisu. It is not
because Mr. Fraser plays chords either, because
they cannot understand what Mr. Flagg's cornet
says.
Breakfast is ready now, so we will go down and
see them start. Mr. Fraser will say grace for them.
There are nearly two hundred there.- all eating
together at these long tables out in the open. They
have made them themselves out of trees with one
side smoothed off to make a flat surface. They
think we should eat alone and have something bet-
ter than they but we insist on joining them at the
big feast. This morning we have boiled beef and
rice, with a little cabbage. After breakfast you
can do whatever you like until half past twelve,
when we have the big service.
Well, it is already half past twelve and we will
wend our way to the chapel. It is not a very fine
chapel in our eyes but they are quite proud of it. for
they have built it themselves. It has one improve
ment over their homes and that is that they have
papered the walls with pages from the "Saturday
Evening Post."
What a gay crowd these people make, especially
the women ! As they come running down the path
with their bells tinkling and their ornaments jang-
ling you would think a drove of horses were com-
ing. They are loaded down with brass and silver
rings around their necks, and strings of colored'
beads hanging to the rings. See the gaudy colors
DECEMBER. 1920
of their dresses ! Red, orange,
white, yellow (and. in one or two
cases, green) stripes are placed
side by side.
You count the women and I
will count the men and see how
many are here. I make it one
hundred and twelve men ; added
to your seventy-nine women,
that makes one hundred and
ninety-one. Not a bad crowd for
a work that is hardly three years
old! Three years ago they were
all raw heathen and now they are
singing the songs of Zion, and
these people who have been
trained, sing well.
Mr. Fraser is now telling about the program for
the afternoon. After that he will ask them some
simple questions from the catechism. It will hardly
do to preach a sermon to these people for they
would understand very little of it. They have to be
reached by personal work. They are just like chil-
dren and have to be treated as such.
After more singing and prayer, we will go with
the people and watch them at their games. They
will be delighted to have us join them in the run-
ning and jumping. See those fellows over there !
What are they doing? That is a kind of Lisu sub-
stitute for a jumping rope. One fellow stands in
the middle and takes an old shoe which he ties to a
rope. He then holds the other end of the rope and
whirls the shoe around and around, jumping over
the rope as it comes round. Of course when about
four get in they get confused and miss, and the rope
winds around the legs of the one who missed.
There is the gun for dinner, let us hurry back,
and be filled to all His fulness for them. Mr. Fraser
is looking to the Lord to raise up evangelists and
workers among them. Let us help in this.
Can God Spread a Table in the Wilderness ?
By Mr. ARTHUR MOORE, Kansu
TWO missionaries were traveling across unevan-
gelized tracts of country in the most distant
part of northwest China. For two days they
had encountered sand storms, and when at last they
arrived at a farm, which also did duty as an inn.,
their only food was pieces of bread well filled with
sand and made as hard as bricks by the wind. Boil-
ing water was procured and tea made. They endea-
vored to improve the bread by soaking pieces of it
in their tea, but the result was hardly a first-class
meal.
One said to the other, "Do you know what T
would fancy to eat? A new loaf of bread and some
fresh butter. What a luxury it would be to cut off
good slice and spread the butter all over it !"
for I am hungry, aren't you? They think, we However, there seemed no prospect of either,
ought to ride horses back as we must be tired from An old woman came in, and they asked her if she
the games. I am glad it is not far for that horse could make them some bread. Her answer was,
looks as if he would break in two if you sat on
him. I wish they would not fire the guns because
my horse nearly throws me off every time they
shoot.
We are here at last. As soon as Mr. Fraser says
grace we will make short work of this feast. There
nothing but rice, beef and lots of gravy, but it
"Where can I get flour to make bread for you !"
and she went off.
Later a 'Tibetan man who understood Chinese
called in and they talked in a friendly way for some
time. Then to their surprise he said, "Do you
gentlemen eat butter?"
'Rather." said they. "But is it rancid?" for
is well cooked. When we get through you can knew that Tibetans are not careful about washing
throw away your dish. It is made from plantain their milk cans.
leaves folded together to hold liquid. It is rather
awkward to use chopsticks with that, when you are
not used to it.
They are going to have a short program this
evening, with a talk by one of themselves on the
meaning of Christmas. One of them has been to
Burma and has seen the work in the Kachin school
there and will tell how they observe the day and
offer suggestions for next year
"No, it is quite fresh." He then produced a skin
containing nine pounds of butter.
They tasted it and finding it sweet and fresh
bought the lot.
Now they had butter but no fresh bread.
Later the farmer came in, and after some conver-
sation the missionaries asked, "Could we possibly
have any fresh bread?"
"Bread! Why, certainly!" and he called to the old
They think the day will have been perfect if you woman who had refused before, and in three-quar-
will wind up the program by playing for them until ters of an hour two large round loaves were ready
you are tired. After that I will leave you to find for them.
your way home as best you can. I am sure you will And there, away in the desert, the Lord provided
not forget to pray for these people and their needs. His servants with fresh bread and butter in spite of
Above all pray that they may know Christ better all that seemed to make it look impossible.
Children in " Miaoland "
By Mr. M. H. HUTTON, Panghai, Kweichow
HOW delighted the children were to get the small
gifts which some kind friends had sent to us!
The larger girls thought theirs (a box for each,
containing a cake of soap and a wee bottle ot scent)
a choice gift.
One .of the girls who got such a package, on re-
turning home put it away safely, as she thought, for
the time of her courting. We afterwards heard
that when she was out in the field working, her old
wrinkled father began wondering what ■ the soap
would feel like were he to sample it, so he actually
washed his face with it and was greatly delighted
with the soothing effect. The mother finally con-
fiscated the soap and hid it where the old father
would not be able to sample it again.
Another, an inquirer's boy,
received two or three small
articles and a cap. We heard
that on his return home, his
brother demanded to share in the
goods so they decided to wear
' the cap on alternate days and the
toys were to be the property of
each boy alternately too. .Tin
cylinder bird-mimics were greatly
appreciated.
By Mr. A. G. NICHOLLS.
Sapushan, Yunnan
Boys and girls at home would
be really interested in these
shrimps of humanity out here in
■"Miaoland," they are so poor and
only half clothed.
There are stages of being
■clothed upon. A youngster from
birth to three or four years has
only one rag, after that two— but
ragged things at that — then at
about ten years the children are
more respectably dressed.
They just love to roll in the dirt when young and
of course are not so interesting to nurse as a clean
child, but it is the Miao style and of course the
mothers do not mind at all nursing and hugging a
dirty baby, for the youngster belongs to the mother
and that makes all the difference.
It is a pleasure to hear the children sing and does
one's heart good, and one longs to see them all
walking in the truth.
Not Used to Dolls
By Miss LENA I. WEBER, Kian, Kiangsi
THE little dollies caused me no little amusement
as I presented them to children who came to
wish me a happy New Year and to different
little patients. Of course, they gave them all much
joy even though most of the children, not knowing
what they were, .called them "idols."
One dear little girl of six, who had just been
taught by her brother of eight to make the curtsey
to wish a "happy New Year," had come to practice
first of all on me. And as she got up from her
CHINAS MILLIONS
knees, I slipped one of the little dollies into her
hand. She was just dumb with pleasure and amaze-
ment, then she broke out in a giggle and ran away
as fast as her little legs could carry her to show her
mother.
I wish that you might have seen her joy and heard
her giggle and sweet childish prattle. And this is
only one instance of many.
In Home and School
By Mrs. J. S. FIDDLER, Ningsia Kansu
DURING the last six weeks I have Visited thirty
homes, and in several of these, meetings have
been held. A few of the homes have been
Mohammedan and Manchurian. The Mohammedan
women listen well but when their husbands come
in they are afraid. There is scarcely a day that we
do not have some Mohammedan guests. Some
"official" ladies have called. We
always seek to give them as much
Gospel as possible. I hope to call
on many of these ladies soon. In
all their wealth they are very un-
happy.
Mrs. Chang, the girls' school
teacher, told me she had not wor-
shiped idols since she was a
child. Her father is principal of
the school where I have been
teaching for the last six months,
the boys' high school. Mrs.
Chang will not allow idolatry to
go on in the school and no girl
is allowed to have bound feet. I
render a little help in teaching
English as I am glad to have a
meeting once a week.
At the girls' Government school,
over ninety are enrolled. I feel
the weekly meeting there is an
exceptional opportunity and
look to t the Lord to work in the
Some of the girls are over twenty
years old. One little girl is a Christian. She is
the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Uang, who were bap-
tized last year, and expects to be baptized herself
this year. Her baby sister was dedicated and two
of Dr. Uang's servants wish to be baptized. Nearly
the whole house have turned to the Lord.
Since writing the above four have been baptized.
One little girl, age eleven, exceptionally small and
clever, who reads and writes well, a bright Chris-
tian. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Uang
who were baptized last year. Dr. Uang's two young
servants were also baptized and a young Dr. Lu
who is persecuted by his young wife. Years ago
his father came to us in a rage and said he would
kill his son if he came to meetings. Now, the father
has gone to a Christless grave but the son is saved.
Pray for these four that they may live fragrant
lives, strong, lasting and beautiful. Last year the
first Manchurian woman.in this city was baptized;
this year the first boy. Praise the Lord !
young, hearts.
DECEMBER, 1920
189
Editorial Notes
AMIDST death and want and distress the happy
season of Christmas returns again. It was
into a troubled world that God's Son came
bringing light and life, and He continues to bestow
these, causing cheer to be found even in China —
as we trust will be seen in this present issue.
In a party sailing recently, still another young
lady has gone out as an accepted probationer of
the China Inland Mission. Thus our reinforce-
ments from North America for this year number
six young women and one young man. We again
ask prayer for these new workers, as well as for
missionaries who have returned to their field.
Inquiries are being made at our office and funds
are being received on behalf of the famine which it
is estimated may affect about fifty-nine millions in
China. In the early autumn people were feeding on
leaves and roots, endeavoring to flee into neighbor-
ing provinces (which generally repulsed the incom-
ers owing to their own lack), leaving by the roadside
children that could not be fed or carried, and even
selling their offspring (sometimes for as little as a
dollar) heedless of the fact that life might be worse
than death to these little ones, fed by others only
to be slaves. Later months no doubt will bring
fuller, harrowing details but no one knows how
many may perish meanwhile. Gifts received will
be forwarded at the earliest opportunity to our
treasurer at Shanghai for use in the relief.
The reports in regard to the terrible famine
seems to locate it in Chihli, northern Honan, Shan-
tung and parts of Shansi. These provinces are
adjacent one to another, all lying in the north-
eastern part of China. Added to the failure of
rains, the presence of warring armies in this region
during the present year further explains the dis-
tress, and on top of it all, the continued distrust
and rivalry of factions by no means smooth the way
for relief movements. While the gifts which are
coming in for famine sufferers are greatly needed,
we would remind our friends of the equal import-
ance of prayer, that the distribution may be carried
out promptly, efficiently and with the sincere co-
operation of officials. There is a further request
which we should bring to God at this time, namely,
that this awful calamity may bring to the Chinese
a practical illustration of Christian love and through
this a seeking and partaking on their part of "the
Living Bread which came down from Heaven,"
and which is given "for the life of the world."
The late Pastor Stearns of Philadelphia who was
a member of the North American Council of the
China Inland Mission was a man of unusual ministry
and one who will be widely missed. In addition to the
work of his own church, in Germantown, Philadel-
phia, for many years he conducted nine or more
weekly Bible classes in various cities, including
New York, Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Washington,
so that during his active years he was truly "in
journeyings often." Peculiarly zealous in setting
forth missionary work as the practical responsibility
of Christians and in constantly presenting mission-
ary information in his services and meetings, he
became instrumental in maintaining many mission-
aries in foreign fields through funds, not raised by
organization or canvass, but personally entrusted to
his care. Thus, his own church during a period of
twenty-three years gave over $265,000 to missions,
while between 1889 and 1919 the missionary con-
tributions from all sources put at his disposal
amounted to more than a million dollars. We would
ask prayer for all the bereaved friends in foreign
lands with whom he was in touch, as well as for
those of his large home "parish" and his family
circle. Anyone -meeting Pastor Stearns was
likely to be asked, "What are your initials?" And
given them, he would at once fit words for a little
personal motto — his own (D. M. S.), he would say.
stood for "Don't Mind Satan." This "missionary
pastor" summed up the church's mission in these
words : "To know the Lord, and to make Him
known, is the one only thing that we are here for,
and to qualify us for that He has given us His
Word and His Spirit."
"A friend of mine in his journey is come to me,
and I have nothing to set before him" (Luke 11 :16).
A missionary was led to use the foregoing Scrip-
ture to illustrate the essential elements of inter-
cession. . He divided the text into three portions,
viz: (1 ) "A friend of mine in his journey" at mid-
night, (2) "is come to me." (3) "I have nothing to
set before him." First, there must stand before us,
in our consciousness, the benighted journeying
friend ; we must acknowledge his need as one upon
a journey, and we must see his coming at midnight
— that hour of weariness, lack of light and danger.
Next, we must realize that in his need he is truly
come to us and that his dependence for help is upon
us, not indefinitely but directly. Finally, we must
face the fact that we ourselves have nothing to give
him ; because of our wants, the bread that he needs
must come from Another, and we must get it from
Him. If we consider ourselves as this aroused
friend of the journeying benighted friend, and go
in his behalf to the greater Friend who can give
what the hungry wanderer needs ; .we may find the
lesson our Lord gives in this parable, for it follows
the disciples' request that He teach them to pray.
In these days there are many, not only in heathen
lands but at home also, who (spiritually) are
traveling, hungry and in darkness. If we are
learning the lesson of sympathy and importunate
intercession we will go to our Friend for our
friend, asking Him for bread. And will He give
a stone ? "If ye then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts .... how much more your heavenly
Father !"
CHINA'S MILLIONS
INDEX OF GENERAL MATTER
AND DEPARTMENTS: 1920
General Articles
ByF . D. Learner . .
\ BoKlH- K
—ByMrs.J.Goforth.'.
A Summer Gathering c. ....
By C. Howard Bird
Stories from Rebel-ruled Shensi. — By
Miss A. E. Eldridge
Have Wt I oNvicnoNS? — By John Snuthey ..
K.Iian
'" own
Go'
l Mohammed \>
-ByC.H.Spurgeon. .
A Thou
G. If. Hunter
How God is Working Among mi
ByA.G.Xicholls
Why Medical Workers are Few
IIU I Mill /M-/1.
In a Women's Hospital.— Br .1
SlNKIANG. BY
Soltau
BePatien
Keller . .
ik( iiki
ir< ins
— ByM _
Fruitin the Year of Drought
The Pre-eminent Christ (Report of 1920
Conference).— Bv A//\s II. IIomer-Dixcm
Delivered from Robbers.— By C. G. Gowman
Evangelistic Meetings for W 
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